Inter-rater Reliability of Lumbar Segmental Instability Tests and the Subclassification

Objectives: This study investigated the inter-rater reliability of three structural end-range lumbar segmental instability tests with the highest positive Likelihood Ratio against flexion-extension radiographs, and three functional mid-range clinical tests that predict the success of lumbar stabilization exercises in patients with recurrent or chronic low back pain (R/CLBP). It also investigated the reliability of lumbar segmental instability subclassification as: Functional, Structural and Combined Instability. Method: 40 adult with R/CLBP patients (30 men and 10 women), 18 to 80 years of age, underwent repeated measurements of specific clinical tests for structural or functional lumbar segmental instability. Results: Other than the Lack of Hypomobility with PA Glide test, which was found to be unreliable (percentage agreement = 37.5, and k= - 0.02), all the other tests demonstrated high Kappa coefficients and percentage agreements. The sub-classification categories of lumbar segmental instability (functional, structural, and combined) were found to be significantly reliable (k= 0.722, adjusted k= .7 and k =0.84, respectively). Discussion: All the investigated tests (except lack of hypomobility with PA glide test); as well as, the categories of lumbar segmental instability sub-classification, were significantly reliable in predicting lumbar stabilization. Key words: Low back pain, Segmental instability, Reliability, Physical examination, Clinical prediction rule. Discussion:

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Therapy

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Alyazedi, Faisal Mohammad

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lohman III, Everett B.
• Bahjri, Khaled
• Swen, R. Wesley

• Physical Therapy
• Joint instability; Low Back Pain - diagnosis; Backache; Lumbar vertebrae;
• Low back pain
• Segmental instability
• Reliability
• Physical examination
• Clinical prediction rule
• Lumbar

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/112

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1111