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An annotated bibliography of spinal motion palpation reliability studies
Michael Haneline1, Robert Cooperstein, Morgan Young
1Palmer College of Chiropractic West, San Jose, CA 95134, USA.
Background:
Several literature reviews have addressed the reliability of spinal and sacroiliac (SI) motion palpation (MP), finding that, in general, interexaminer reliability is slight and intraexaminer reliability is moderate.
Methods:
We performed a literature search of four biomedical databases to locate articles that dealt with MP of the spine or SI joints. The abstracts of the retrieved citations were independently screened for inclusion by two of the authors. The full-text of potentially includable articles was examined by the same two authors to assess whether they met all of the inclusion criteria. The validity of the included studies was evaluated using a 6-point scale.
Results:
The initial searches netted 415 citations; another 30 were harvested from the secondary search. Fifty-nine articles were removed as duplicates and 305 failed to meet the inclusion criteria. Another 33 were excluded because they did not adequately describe the method of analysis, used a combination of tests, were not actually MP studies, or were not reliability studies. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: Summaries of 48 articles that dealt with the reliability of spinal and SI MP are presented. Where appropriate, we have commented on some of the methodological deficiencies that were discovered.
Insights
Reliability of spinal and sacroiliac (SI) motion palpation (MP) is generally low between examiners and moderate within examiners, according to a review of 48 studies.
Area of Science:
- Chiropractic and Manual Therapy
- Musculoskeletal System Examination
Background:
- Previous literature reviews indicate slight interexaminer and moderate intraexaminer reliability for spinal and sacroiliac (SI) motion palpation (MP).
- The reliability of MP is a critical factor in its clinical utility and diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize the existing literature on the reliability of spinal and SI motion palpation.
- To identify methodological strengths and weaknesses in studies assessing MP reliability.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four biomedical databases.
- Study selection involved independent screening and full-text review by two authors.
- Included studies were evaluated for validity using a 6-point scale.
Main Results:
- The review identified and summarized 48 articles specifically addressing the reliability of spinal and SI MP.
- Methodological deficiencies in the analyzed studies were noted and commented upon.
- A significant number of initially retrieved citations were excluded due to not meeting inclusion criteria or methodological limitations.
Conclusions:
- The collective evidence suggests limitations in the reliability of spinal and SI MP.
- Further research with robust methodologies is needed to improve the understanding and application of MP.
- Clinical interpretation of MP findings should consider the documented reliability issues.
