| Objective: To determine the interexaminer reliability of multidimensional approaches to detection of the spinal manipulable lesion through a systematic review. Literature search: MEDLINE and MANTIS were searched up until June 2004 using the following terms: reliability, interexaminer reliability, spine joint dysfunction, somatic dysfunction, chiropractic subluxation, manipulable lesion, chiropractic, manual medicine, osteopathy, motion palpation, spine palpation, and end play. Study selection: Studies in English relating to interexaminer reliability of multidimensional approaches to detection of the spinal manipulable lesion. Six of 110 papers reviewed were included in the systematic review. Quality evaluation: Two reviewers independently assessed papers based on a predetermined quality score. Three papers met minimal quality criteria. Conclusion: There are few studies of adequate quality and these fail to identify any multidimensional testing regimens that have adequate reliability. Further research is required in this area. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text by subscription. Click on the above link for the journal record. |
