Related Experiment Videos
Measuring cervical muscle tenderness: a study of reliability
1Nordic Institute of Chiropractic, Odense, Denmark.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|February 1, 1995
Summary
The Total Tenderness Score system demonstrates good reliability for assessing cervical muscle tenderness. This scoring system is reliable for both different examiners and the same examiner over time.
Area of Science:
- Chiropractic Research
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Clinical Reliability Studies
Background:
- Assessing cervical muscle tenderness is crucial in chiropractic care.
- Standardized methods enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment consistency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inter- and intraexaminer reliability of the Total Tenderness Score (TTS) system.
- To determine the consistency of palpatory cervical muscle tenderness assessments.
Main Methods:
- Blinded, repeated measures of cervical muscle tenderness using the TTS.
- Fourteen asymptomatic volunteers underwent assessments by two blinded examiners.
- Assessments were conducted three times per subject.
Main Results:
- High inter-examiner reliability was found (Spearman's rho = .88).
- High intra-examiner reliability was also observed (Spearman's rho = .85).
- Statistical tests and visual inspection supported the reliability findings.
Conclusions:
- The Total Tenderness Score system exhibits acceptable reliability for assessing cervical muscles.
- This supports its potential use in clinical practice and research.
- Consistent assessment of cervical tenderness is achievable with the TTS.