Designing and Manufacturing of Force Measuring System for Cervical Manipulation and Mobilization

Abstract

[Purpose] To design, manufacture, and assess system safety for measuring peak force during high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust and joint mobilization in healthy people without neck pain. [Subjects and Methods] Individuals registered with KCS were divided into HVLA (n=24) and joint-mobilization groups (n=34), and peak force was measured twice. In each group, the participants’ characteristics were classified by sex, age, height, body weight, and career for comparison within and between intervals. The cervical range of motion (ROM) between the first and second measurements, as well as before and after the experiment, were compared for each group. [Result] In the HVLA group, there were differences between the first and second measurements in the ≤44 years, 45–50 years, and 56–65 kg groups (p>/<0.05), but no differences according to sex, height, or career (p>>0.05) or between the first and second measurements in the overall group (n=24) (p>>0.05). In the joint-mobilization group, there were differences between the ≤55 kg and between the ≤55 and 56–65 kg groups (p><0.05), but no differences according to sex, height, or career (p>>0.05) or between the first and second measurements in the overall group (n=34) (p>>0.05). Both groups had increased cervical ROM after the experiment than before (p><0.05). [Conclusion] The measurement system comprised a pressure sensor, Arduino hardware, and software to measure the peak force of the cervical spine; there were no differences between the first and second measurements for each group, but comparing the intergroup differences proved useful. Subsequent studies should compare more measurements and consider participant characteristics.