Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 7 , Pages 556-563 , September 2009

The McKenzie Classification System in the Extremities: A Reliability Study Using Mckenzie Assessment Forms and Experienced Clinicians

  • Stephen May, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Stephen May, MSc, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Broomhall Road, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK S10 2BP
  • ,
  • Jenny Ross, MEd

      Affiliations

    • Teaching Fellow, Dundee University College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, Dundee, Scotland
    • Physiologist, Aberdeen Sports Injury Clinic, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, UK

Received 20 March 2009 ,Revised 24 April 2009 ,Accepted 24 April 2009.

References 

  1. McKenzie RA. The lumbar spine. Mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Waikanae, New Zealand: Spinal Publications; 1981;
  2. Clare HA, Adams R, Maher CG. A systematic review of efficacy of McKenzie therapy for spinal pain. Aust J Physiother. 2004;50:209–216
  3. Cook C, Hegedus EJ, Ramey K. Physical therapy exercise intervention based on classification using the patient response method: a systematic review of the literature. J Man Manip Ther. 2005;13:152–162
  4. Machado LAC, de Souza MvS, Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML. The McKenzie method for low back pain. A systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis approach. Spine. 2006;31:E254–E262
  5. Hettinga DM, Jackson A, Klaber Moffett J, May S, Mercer C, Woby SR. A systematic review and synthesis of higher quality evidence of the effectiveness of exercise interventions for non-specific low back pain of at least 6 weeks duration. Phys Ther Rev. 2007;12:221–232
  6. Slade SC, Keating J. Unloaded movement facilitation exercise compared to no exercise or alternative therapy on outcomes for people with non-specific chronic low back pain: a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2007;30:301–311
  7. May S, Donelson R. Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with the McKenzie method. Spine J. 2008;8:134–141
  8. Aina A, May S, Clare H. The centralization phenomenon of spinal symptoms—a systematic review. Man Ther. 2004;9:134–143
  9. May S, Littlewood C, Bishop A. Reliability of procedures used in the physical examination of non-specific low back pain: a systematic review. Aust J Physiother. 2006;52:91–102
  10. McKenzie R, May S. The human extremities mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Waikanae, New Zealand: Spinal Publications Ltd; 2000;
  11. McKenzie R, May S. The lumbar spine mechanical diagnosis and therapy. 2nd ed.. Waikanae, New Zealand: Spinal Publications Ltd; 2003;
  12. Aina A, May S. A shoulder derangement. Man Ther. 2005;10:159–163
  13. Littlewood C, May S. A contractile dysfunction of the shoulder. Man Ther. 2007;12:80–83
  14. May S. Classification by McKenzie's mechanical syndromes: a survey of McKenzie-trained faculty. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006;29:637–642
  15. Kelly E, May S, Ross J. The reliability of the McKenzie classification system using extremity McKenzie assessment forms. Int J Mech Diagn Ther. 2008;3:3–6
  16. Kilpikoski S, Airaksinen O, Kankaanpaa M, Leminen P, Videman T, Alen M. Interexaminer reliability of low back pain assessment using the McKenzie method. Spine. 2002;27:E207–E214
  17. Clare HA, Adams R, Maher CG. Reliability of the McKenzie spinal pain classification using patient assessment forms. Physiotherapy. 2004;90:114–119
  18. Clare HA, Adams R, Maher CG. Reliability of McKenzie classification of patients with cervical or lumbar pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005;28:122–127
  19. Razmjou H, Kramer JF, Yamada R. Intertester reliability of the McKenzie evaluation in assessing patients with mechanical low-back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000;30:368–389
  20. Dionne CP, Bybee RF, Tomaka J. Inter-rater reliability of McKenzie assessment in patients with neck pain. Physiotherapy. 2006;92:75–82
  21. Streiner DL, Norman GR. In: Health measurement scales. 3rd ed.. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2003;p. 139–141
  22. Altman DG. In: Practical statistics for medical research. London: Chapman & Hall; 1991;p. 404
  23. Kilby J, Stigant M, Roberts A. The reliability of back pain assessment by physiotherapists, using a ‘McKenzie algorithm’. Physiotherapy. 1990;76:579–583
  24. Riddle DL, Rothstein JM. Intertester reliability of McKenzie's classifications of the syndrome types present in patients with low back pain. Spine. 1993;18:1333–1344
  25. Liesdek C, van der Windt DA, Koes BW, Bouter LM. Soft-tissue disorders of the shoulder: a study of inter-observer agreement between general practitioners and physiotherapists and an overview of physiotherapeutic treatment. Physiotherapy. 1997;83:12–17
  26. De Winter AF, Jans MP, Scholten RJ, Deville W, Schaardenburg D, Bouter LM. Diagnostic classification of shoulder disorders: inter-observer agreement and determinants of disagreement. Ann Rheum Dis. 1999;58:272–277
  27. Pellecia GL, Paolino J, Connell J. Intertester reliability of the Cyriax evaluation in assessing patients with shoulder pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996;23:34–38
  28. Hanchard NCA, Howe TE, Gilbert MM. Diagnosis of shoulder pain by history and selective tissue tension: agreement between assessors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35:147–153
  29. Walker-Bone K, Byng P, Linaker C, et al. Reliability of the Southampton examination schedule for the diagnosis of upper limb disorders in the general population. Ann Rheum Dis. 2002;61:103–106
  30. Palmer KT, Walker-Bone K, Linaker C, et al. The Southampton examination schedule for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limb. Ann Rheum Dis. 2000;59:5–11
  31. May S. Classification by McKenzie's mechanical syndromes: report on directional preference and extremity patients. Int J Mech Diagn Ther. 2006;1:7–11

PII: S0161-4754(09)00189-4

doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.08.007

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 32, Issue 7 , Pages 556-563 , September 2009