title: Perceptions and use of passive intervertebral motion assessment of the spine: a survey among physiotherapists specializing in manual therapy.
abstract: Manual therapists commonly use passive intervertebral motion (PIVM) assessment within physical examination. Data describing the use and interpretation of this manual diagnostic procedure, as well as therapists' perception of related importance and confidence, are lacking. A survey was conducted among Dutch physiotherapists specializing in manual therapy (MT) using a 13-item, self-administered, structured questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty-seven questionnaires were analysed. Response rate from the postal part of the survey was 56%. Dutch manual therapists most frequently apply passive segmental motion assessment to the cervical region and they prefer three-dimensionally coupled motions. They consider end-feel or, to a lesser extent, provocation of patient's pain as decisive for diagnostic conclusions. Respondents believe that these spinal motion tests are important for treatment decisions and are confident in their conclusions drawn from it. These perceptions were largely stable across subgroups of therapists with different gender, age, experience, and educational background. Weekly amount of work related to spinal disorders was positively associated with perceived importance and confidence. Reported use and interpretation of PIVM assessment and related perceptions could only partly be substantiated by evidence. Results from this survey will help researchers design studies better reflecting daily practice in MT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.vantrijffel@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Emiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Trijffel
authors.forename: Rob A B
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Oostendorp
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindeboom
authors.forename: Patrick M M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bossuyt
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results