Inter-rater reliability of select physical examination procedures in patients with neck pain

Abstract

This study evaluated the inter-rater reliability of select examination procedures in patients with neck pain (NP) conducted over a 24- to 48-h period. Twenty-two patients with mechanical NP participated in a standardized examination. One examiner performed standardized examination procedures and a second blinded examiner repeated the procedures 24-48 h later with no treatment administered between examinations. Inter-rater reliability was calculated with the Cohen Kappa and weighted Kappa for ordinal data while continuous level data were calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient model 2,1 (ICC2,1). Coefficients for categorical variables ranged from poor to moderate agreement (-0.22 to 0.70 Kappa) and coefficients for continuous data ranged from slight to moderate (ICC2,1 0.28-0.74). The standard error of measurement for cervical range of motion ranged from 5.3° to 9.9° while the minimal detectable change ranged from 12.5° to 23.1°. This study is the first to report inter-rater reliability values for select components of the cervical examination in those patients with NP performed 24-48 h after the initial examination. There was considerably less reliability when compared to previous studies, thus clinicians should consider how the passage of time may influence variability in examination findings over a 24- to 48-h period.

Assessing the Cervical Range of Motion in Infants With Positional Plagiocephaly

“…It has been suggested that Kappa values above 80% demonstrate excellent agreement, values from 60% to 80% substantial levels of agreement, values from 40% to 60% moderate agreement, and values below 40% poor to fair agreement. 17 The x 2 test was used to analyze the prevalence of right or left head positional preference and the side prevalence of the active and passive cervical rotation and the passive lateral flexion. The severity of ROM limitations was assessed by means of x 2 test.…”

Neck and Shoulder Motor Function following Neck Dissection: A Comparison with Healthy Control Subjects

“…A bubble inclinometer was used for all AROM directions (except hand‐behind‐back). This method showed moderate to high test‐retest and intratester reliability at the shoulder and cervical spine 20‐23 . Hand‐behind‐back is a composite measure of shoulder internal rotation, extension, and adduction and was rated with reference to the hand reaching the opposite scapula (0), 6 to 15 cm beneath the opposite scapula (1), the opposite iliac crest (2), or the buttock (3) or being unable to move behind the trunk (4) 24 .…”

“…This method showed moderate to high test-retest and intratester reliability at the shoulder and cervical spine. [20][21][22][23] Hand-behind-back is a composite measure of shoulder internal rotation, extension, and adduction and was rated with reference to the hand reaching the opposite scapula (0), 6 to 15 cm beneath the opposite scapula (1), the opposite iliac crest (2), or the buttock (3) or being unable to move behind the trunk (4). 24 Participants performed 3 practice trials and then 3 repetitions of each test, with the mean of the 3 repetitions used for analysis.…”

The relationship between physical impairments, quality of life and disability of the neck and upper limb in patients following neck dissection

“…All other AROM measurements were taken with a bubble inclinometer. These measurements have demonstrated moderate to high test-rest and intra-tester reliability [24][25][26][27]. Three practice trials for each movement were conducted, after which three repetitions were recorded and the mean used for analysis.…”