Experimental study looking at the effect of BLT (balanced ligamentous tension) upon function and pain in the forearm compared to a placebo treatment in asymptomatic individuals.
Item
- Title
- Experimental study looking at the effect of BLT (balanced ligamentous tension) upon function and pain in the forearm compared to a placebo treatment in asymptomatic individuals.
- Author(s)
- Healey, E
- Abstract
- Background: BLT has limited credibility and a lack of research about its effect upon pain and function, more specifically within the forearm. The forearm is an area commonly affected by various conditions so is ideal to look at in an asymptomatic population for BLT efficacy. Objective: To investigate whether BLT has an effect upon pain and function within the forearm when compared to a placebo. Design: Piloted randomised controlled experimental study. Methods: Recruited participants as resultant of asymptomatic patient rated tennis elbow evaluation form. The participants were randomised into BLT, control or placebo groups. The grip strength and PPT (at four sites in the forearm) was measured once pre and post intervention with a dynamometer and algometer. Data was analysed using Analyse-lt and tested for normality using Shaprio-Wilks and equality of variance with Levene's test. Parametric test was ANOVA with posthoc Tukey-Kramer. Non parametric test was Kruskal Wallis with posthoc steel. Results: Grip strength found (P=0.8463) no difference. PPT found a difference at lateral epicondyle pre-placebo against post-control (P=0.0424). PPT at medial epicondyle found no difference (P=0.1280). PPT at the belly of pronator teres found a difference with pre-control and post-BLT (P=0.0.287). PPT at the belly of extensor carpi radialis brevis found significant differences with the groups pre-control against pre-BLT (P=0.0243), pre-control against post- BLT (P=0.0039), pre-BLT and pre-control (P=0.0231) and pre-BLT against post-control (P=0.0464). PPT at the lateral epicondyle and belly of extensor carpi radialis brevis results show a sampling error. PPT at the belly of pronator teres is the only result showing any significant effect possibly due to BLT. Discussion : BLT had no effect upon grip strength however results suggest BLT may have an effect upon pain perception compared to placebo in asymptomatic individuals. The validity is questionable due to the unrepetitive nature across all four sites in the forearm and unskilled practitioner using the algometer. Further depth into BLT research required. Conclusion : BLT produced some effect upon pain perception in asymptomatic individuals when compared to placebo but produced no effect on grip strength. Further research would be useful on grip strength and PPT in a symptomatic population.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2017
- Date Submitted
- 4.12.2017 17:06:21
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16040
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- BLT -Balanced ligamentous tension, pain, placebos
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Healey, E, “Experimental study looking at the effect of BLT (balanced ligamentous tension) upon function and pain in the forearm compared to a placebo treatment in asymptomatic individuals.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/496