HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Viikari-Juntura, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Viikari-Juntura, E. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Interexaminer Reliability of Observations in Physical Examinations of the Neck

Ms. Viikari-Juntura is a physician who has specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This study was conducted at the Physiotherapy and Neurosurgery Departments of the Helsinki University Central Hospital and at the Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.

The purpose of this study was to collect data on interexaminer reliability of a set of tests representative of the clinical examination of a patient with neck and radicular pain. A conventional neurological examination, palpations, and tests for the provocation or relief of radicular symptoms were performed on 52 patients by two independent raters. Good reliability was obtained in the atrophy inspection of the small muscles of the hand, in the sensitivity tests for touch and pain, and in the neck compression and axial manual traction tests. Fair reliability was obtained in muscle strength testing and in the estimation of the range of motion, and poor reliability was obtained for many palpations. Poor standardization of examination procedures and changes in the patients' attention were considered the main factors affecting reliability. Better operational definitions and procedures, such as the standardization of palpation pressure and traction force, are suggested for future studies.

Key Words: Neck • Physical examination • Physical therapy • Tests and measurements

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. E. Mintken, J. A. Cleland, K. J. Carpenter, M. L. Bieniek, M. Keirns, and J. M. Whitman Some Factors Predict Successful Short-Term Outcomes in Individuals With Shoulder Pain Receiving Cervicothoracic Manipulation: A Single-Arm Trial Physical Therapy, January 1, 2010; 90(1): 26 - 42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. van Suijlekom, H. de Vet, S. van den Berg, and W. Weber Interobserver Reliability of Diagnostic Criteria for Cervicogenic Headache Cephalalgia, November 1, 1999; 19(9): 817 - 823. [Abstract] [PDF]