Interrater Reliability of a Passive Physiological Intervertebral Motion Test in the Mid-Thoracic Spine
Received 8 March 2005; received in revised form 6 October 2005
Abstract
Objective
To examine the interrater reliability of a passive physiological intervertebral motion (PPIM) test of a mid-thoracic spine motion segment.
Methods
Nineteen males and 22 females with a mean age of 22.7 years (range, 19-40 years) and no known spinal pathologies were tested independently by 3 certified manual therapy instructors. Investigators performed 3-dimensional segmental mobility testing at a preselected thoracic motion segment. Interrater reliability was assessed with Cohen's κ statistics, using 3 pairwise comparisons for determination of the direction of lateral flexion leading to the greatest amount of segmental rotation.
Results
Percent agreement ranges were 63.4% to 82.5%, with κ scores ranging from 0.27 to 0.65.
Conclusion
The PPIM testing demonstrated fair to substantial interrater reliability. A majority of females (91%) demonstrated greatest segmental PPIM motion in contralateral rotation with lateral flexion, whereas a majority of males (90%) demonstrated greatest segmental PPIM motion in ipsilateral rotation with lateral flexion. These findings are applicable to asymptomatic subjects of the same age category. Interrater reliability of 3-dimensional PPIM testing is fair to substantial for assessing passive segmental mobility of the mid-thoracic spine.
aAssistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Tex
bPhysical Therapist, Heritage Oaks Rehabilitation Center, Lubbock, Tex
cPhysical Therapist, Rehabilitation Center, Clovis, NM
dPhysical Therapist, Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center, Kimball Junction, Utah
ePhysical Therapist, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
fSenior Lecturer, International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - Europe, Göttingen, Germany
gSenior Lecturer, International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - US, Tucson, Ariz
hAssociate Professor and Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Tex
iAssociate Professor and Program Director, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Tex
Submit requests for reprints to: Jean-Michel Brismée, ScD, PT, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences - 3601 4th Street, Room 2C 193 - Mail Stop 6223, Lubbock, TX 79430.
This project was not supported by grant funding.
Work is attributed to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine.
ABSTRACT