Index to Chiropractic Literature
Index to Chiropractic Literature
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Monday, October 27, 2025
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Article ID
Title
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9023132/
Journal J Chiropr Med. 2021 Sep;20(3):138-147
Author(s)
Subject(s)
Peer Review Yes
Publication Type Article
Abstract/Notes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the interrater reliability of using a tape measure and goniometer to measure thoracolumbar range of motion (ROM).

Methods: Seven raters were trained on procedures for evaluating ROM of 4 spine motions, using 12 measurement procedures with a tape measure (n = 8) and a goniometer (n = 4). Three healthy female graduate student volunteers who reported having no injuries and who were able to perform all spinal movements served were stationed in separate rooms, and the 7 raters rotated through the rooms and measured each of the spine motions, using a total of the 12 measurement procedures. Data were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) as an index of reliability.

Results: Interrater reliability ranged from ICC of 0.791 to 0.999, indicating good-to-strong reliability. The flexion finger-floor measurement showed strongest reliability, with an ICC of 0.999 (95% CI, 0.998-1.00). Interrater reliability was high for the modified Schober test (ICC, 0.942; 95% CI, 0.875-0.976), left (ICC, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.969-0.993) and right (ICC, 0.961; 95% CI, 0.920-0.983) lateral flexion, forward flexion (ICC, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.938-0.987) and backward extension (ICC, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.990-0.998), and trunk rotation (ICC, 0.933; 95% CI, 0.857-0.989).

Conclusion: In this study, thoracolumbar ROM measurements were obtained using a tape measure and goniometer with a good to high degree of reliability among raters who were trained in accurate procedures with the tape measure and goniometer.

Author Keywords:  Spine; Range of Motion, Articular; Reproducibility of Results

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text. PubMed Record | PDF

 
      

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