Reliability in Evaluating Passive Intervertebral Motion of the Lumber Spine

Abstract

Passive intervertebral motion (PIVM) of the lumbar spine during forward bending was assessed independently during two grading trials by two physical therapists. The therapists each had a minimum of two years clinical experience with similar orthopaedic manual therapy skills, including the sidelying double leg technique utilized in this study. Six segments of the lumbar spine were graded as normal, hypomobile, or hypermobile. Subjects were six volunteers who had a history of low back pain (LBP) and were currently experiencing LBP symptoms. Each therapist graded the segmental mobility during two different trials to investigate both intra- and inter-examiner reliability. Data were analyzed by percent agreement, and Scott's pi 0 which is an indicator of reliability greater than that expected to occur by chance with nominal data. Results demonstrated intra-examiner reliability of 66.67% and 75.00%, with agreement greater than chance of 41.89% and 61.29% respectively. Inter-examiner reliability was 48.61% and agreement greater than chance was 18.35%.

Keywords:

• Passive intervertebral motion
• Manual therapy
• Lumbar spine
• Reliability