The AAO Journal, 2022/06, 32(2):28. doi: 10.53702/2375-5717-32.2.15, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://meridian.allenpress.com/aaoj/article/32/2/15/482674/LBORC-NUFA-Poster-Abstracts-2022-Students)

Keywords:

cross-sectional study [69]
medical students [694]
sacroiliac joint shears [1]
pubic symphysis joint shears [1]
single leg balance [1]
test [485]
diagnosis [412]

Abstract:

Introduction/Background: Osteopathic medicine students (OMS) learn how to integrate osteopathic manipulative treatment into patient care for pain and function. The prevalence of chronic low back pain (LBP), low back somatic dysfunctions, and impaired single leg balance (SLB) in OMS is unclear. Objective: To investigate the impact of participating in a prevalence study on OMS’ understanding of exam findings pertinent to assessment and plan for chronic LBP. Methods: During a diagnosis and treatment LBP laboratory session, second year OMS performed history and physical, including a 30-second SLB test. Online worksheets were completed by students while examining their laboratory partners. Frequencies were calculated. Innominate diagnoses were classified as correct or incorrect. In correctly diagnosed innominates, the prevalence of sacroiliac. and pubic shears among those who failed SLB was calculated. Results: When asked if this study improved their understanding of chronic LBP exam findings, assessment, and plan, self-completed responses from 99 students were 50.5% “Yes, definitely,” 40.4% “Somewhat,” and 3% “Not at all.” Chronic LBP was documented in 23.2%. Innominates were correctly diagnosed in 80.8% of students as 80% rotations and 20% shears, with 15% reporting failed SLB. In those who failed SLB, there were 75% rotations, 25% shears, and 83.3% symmetrical pubic tubercles. Discussion/Conclusion: The results suggest that OMS believed their understanding of exam findings pertinent to assessment and plan for chronic LBP improved through this study. In failed SLB, innominate rotations were more prevalent than shears. Though no identifiers were collected and responses were not graded, social desirability bias may limit this study. Possible limitations include inaccurately identifying anatomical landmarks and innominate diagnoses. Future studies could determine which other joint dysfunctions affect SLB and include OMS from several schools.