Correlation between upper limb flexion and force applied in the crossed hands technique of the myofascial induction® method [correlación entre la flexión de miembros superiores y la fuerza aplicada en la técnica manos cruzadas del método inducción miofascial®]

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The myofascial system is an uninterrupted three-dimensional network. For the purposes of this study, the approach to the fascial tissue was carried out in light of the Myofascial Induction (MIF®) technique, proposed by Andrzej Pilat. Among the deep techniques, the crossed hands technique stands out. However, to date, there are no standardizable parameters that allow the reproducibility of the technique. The objective was to describe the degrees of flexion of the upper limbs and its relationship with the force exerted by the physiotherapist during the execution of the crossed hands technique in the thoracolumbar region. Materials and methods: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study that evaluated the behavior of the variables among a group of 15 physiotherapists trained in IMF® who performed the crossed hands technique for 5 uninterrupted minutes. A statistical and graphical analysis was generated in R Studio Software version 4.2.1, calculating measures of central tendency along with Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The Spearman correlation coefficient (Rho) between variables was predominantly weak or moderately negative after 5 minutes. Although a positive correlation was not found, it is believed that there may be more influential variables that were not analyzed in the study. Conclusions: The kinematics of the upper limbs does not present a statistically significant relationship with the force exerted in the execution of the crossed hands technique in the thoracolumbar fascial area. This is an initial study that will allow researchers to continue generating evidence-based practice. © 2024 Asociación Española de Fisioterapeutas