The reliability of spinal motion palpation determination of the location of the stiffest spinal site is influenced by confidence ratings: a secondary analysis of three studies

Robert Cooperstein; Morgan Young

doi:10.1186/s12998-016-0131-x

Table 4

Median Absolute Examiner Differences and Median Absolute Deviations (cm and VE)

N Subset MedianAED, cm MADmedian, cm MedianAED, VE MADmedian, VE
Cervical
27 All subjects 1.1 0.7 0.6 0.4
21 Both examiners confident 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.6
6 ≥1 examiner not confident 1.7 0.7 0.9 0.4
Thoracic
52 All subjects 2.5 2.0 1.1 0.9
21 Both examiners confident 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.4
21 One examiner not confident 3.0 2.4 1.3 1.0
10 No examiners confident 5.0 2.0 2.2 0.9
Lumbar
34 All subjects 2.5 1.8 0.6 0.4
19 Both examiners confident 2.3 1.7 0.6 0.4
15 ≥1 examiner not confident 1.7 0.7 0.4 0.2
Combined dataset
113 All subjects 2.1 1.4 0.7 0.5
61 Both examiners confident 1.4 0.9 0.6 0.4
36 1 examiner confident 2.9 1.8 1.0 0.5
16 No examiners confident 4.1 2.8 1.8 1.1

Abbreviations:
MedAED Median Absolute Examiner Difference,
MADmedian Median Absolute Deviation,
VE vertebral equivalent

N	Subset	MedianAED, cm	MADmedian, cm	MedianAED, VE	MADmedian, VE
Cervical
27	All subjects	1.1	0.7	0.6	0.4
21	Both examiners confident	1.0	1.0	0.6	0.6
6	≥1 examiner not confident	1.7	0.7	0.9	0.4
Thoracic
52	All subjects	2.5	2.0	1.1	0.9
21	Both examiners confident	1.5	1.0	0.7	0.4
21	One examiner not confident	3.0	2.4	1.3	1.0
10	No examiners confident	5.0	2.0	2.2	0.9
Lumbar
34	All subjects	2.5	1.8	0.6	0.4
19	Both examiners confident	2.3	1.7	0.6	0.4
15	≥1 examiner not confident	1.7	0.7	0.4	0.2
Combined dataset
113	All subjects	2.1	1.4	0.7	0.5
61	Both examiners confident	1.4	0.9	0.6	0.4
36	1 examiner confident	2.9	1.8	1.0	0.5
16	No examiners confident	4.1	2.8	1.8	1.1