title: Interexaminer reliability of the electromagnetic radiation receiver for determining lumbar spinal joint dysfunction in subjects with low back pain.
abstract: Twenty subjects (6 male, 14 female) with low back pain were examined by two experienced and licensed chiropractic doctors (E1 and E2). Both examiners examined the patients using a Toftness Electromagnetic Radiation Receiver (EMRR) and by manual palpation (MP) of the spinous processes. Interexaminer reliability was calculated at three sites (L3, L4, L5) for the following combinations: a) E1,MP--E2,MP; b) E1,EMRR--E2,EMRR; c) E1,MP--E2,EMRR; and) d) E2,MP--E1,EMRR, and intraexaminer reliability was calculated for the following variables: e) E1,MP--E1,EMRR; and f) E2,MP--E2,EMRR. Results of a Kappa coefficient analysis for interexaminer reliability of the stated combinations and at the specific sites were: a) -0.071, 0.400, 0.200; b) -0.013, 0.100, -0.120; c) 0.286, 0.300, 0.200; d) -0.081, 0.000, 0.048. These results predominantly indicate a poor to fair interexaminer reliability. The results of a Kappa coefficient analysis for intraexaminer reliability of the stated combinations were: e) 0.111, 0.400, 0.737; f) 0.000, 0.100, 0.368. These results indicate a poor to fair reliability. It was concluded that in subjects with low back pain the EMRR may not be a reliable indicator of spinal joint dysfunction.
authors: School of Health, Physical Education Service, Oklahoma State University.
authors: H A
authors: HA
authors: Gemmell
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Jacobson
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Edwards
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Heng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002684:Chiropractic; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results