Document Detail


Physiotherapist observation of head and neck alignment.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20658928     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of physiotherapists' visual observation of head and neck alignment. DESIGN: An interrater reliability study with an evaluation of concurrent validity using a gold standard. SETTING: Physiotherapy Research Laboratory, Princess Alexandra Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Three physiotherapist raters, one male model exhibiting 53 test positions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of head and neck alignment required rating the direction of deviation (in each of the three planes of movement), and the magnitude of deviation. RESULTS: All three assessors were correct across all domains of direction and magnitude of deviation for only 10 of the 53 test positions. There was a mean of 2 total errors (out of a possible 12) per position. The more planes of deviation involved in a position, the more total errors there were. Most errors were made in the axial rotation (transverse) plane. Where a lateral flexion (coronal) plane of deviation was involved, there were more total errors; however, this plane itself had the fewest number of errors. Positions with a combination of both lateral flexion and axial rotation deviations were often mistaken for a flexion/extension (sagittal plane) deviation. Fewer errors were recorded for positions of 10-degree deviation compared to 5-degree deviations. CONCLUSIONS: Visual assessment of head and neck alignment by physiotherapists is of questionable validity for identifying deviations in the order of 5 degrees from neutral. For deviations of 10 degrees in a single plane visual, observation is comparable to other clinically available tools.
Authors:
Leanne N Passier; Margarida P Nasciemento; Janelle M Gesch; Terry P Haines
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Physiotherapy theory and practice     Volume:  26     ISSN:  1532-5040     ISO Abbreviation:  Physiother Theory Pract     Publication Date:  2010 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-07-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9015520     Medline TA:  Physiother Theory Pract     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  416-23     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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