Reproducibility of lumbar spine range of motion measurements using the back range of motion device.
METHODS
Single-group repeated measures for single rater reliability.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the intratester reliability for measurements of active lumbar spine mobility and pelvic inclination during standing obtained with the back range-of-motion (BROM) device.


BACKGROUND
The BROM device has often been used to quantify lumbar spine active range of motion. No studies have reported the reliability of the BROM device in a clinical setting.


METHODS
One examiner measured all 3 planes of lumbar range of motion in 40 nonimpaired subjects. For each plane of motion, 2 BROM device measurements were made. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to express the intratester reliability for each plane of motion measured.


RESULTS
Intraclass correlation coefficients were in the range of 0.67 to 0.94 for lumbar measurements with the BROM device.


CONCLUSIONS
Intratester reliability was fair to poor for sagittal plane measurements and pelvic inclination. Measurements obtained by the same examiner for lumbar lateral flexion and rotation with the BROM device, however, were reliable.
Madson
T J
TJ
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 55905, USA.
Youdas
J W
JW
Suman
V J
VJ
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values