[Motion palpation]

Motion palpation has been used as a diagnostic tool for vertebral subluxation, even though its reliability is questionable. Standardisation of palpation has proven substantially more reliable. A scale of assessment of a standardized palpation has not yet been tested for reliability.

The measure of intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of a scale of assessment for the standardized palpation of cervical rotation.

Intraexaminer study: Twelve chiropractic students were assessed by a blindfolded experienced clinician. Interexaminer study: Twelve regular patients with a history of neck problem were assessed by two chiropractors in a clinical setting.

Data analysis shows fair to strong reliability (k = 0.34 and 0.65) for the scale of assessment that was used. The results are comparable to other assessment scales used currently in practice.

The utilisation of a scale of assessment for standardised motion palpation may prove a useful clinical tool, as other common testing measures (tendon reflex, muscle tone, muscle strength) which use similar scale of assessment.