[Functional diagnostics of mobility control, mobility stabilization and hypermobility. Reliability of clinical tests - results of a multicenter study].
BACKGROUND
Complex forms of musculoskeletal dysfunction are thought to be risk factors for the development of chronic pain syndromes of the locomotor system. Unfortunately there are insufficient data on the reliability and validity of clinical tests for musculoskeletal dysfunctions.


METHODS
The intrarater and interrater reliability of clinical tests for hypermobility and for the stabilisation system were examined in a multicentre trial. A total of 68 patients in 6 centres were functionally examined by 2 examiners once (intrarater reliability) and by 1 examiner twice (interrater reliability).


RESULTS
The tests for hypermobility showed good to very good reliability. The results for the stabilisation system were more variable whereby 23 tests showed a kappa-coefficient greater than 0.5 and 15 tests good to very good reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
All tests for hypermobility and 23 tests for the stabilisation system are suitable for further evaluation. The broad range in test reliability might be explained by the differences in examiner skills demanded by each test. Therefore, dependent on their validity, some tests will be useful in specialized centres while others might be used in primary care.
Niemier
K
K
Klinik für Manuelle Therapie, Ostenallee 83, 59071, Hamm, Deutschland. kay.niemier@kmt-hamm.de
Schmidt
S
S
Engel
K
K
Steinmetz
A
A
Herms
K
K
Herms
Ka
K
Liefring
V
V
Maulhardt
A
A
Wetterling
T
T
Kosup
S
S
Casser
R
R
Jäger
G
G
Törkott
S
S
Bieneck
K
K
Rotter
G
G
Marnitz
U
U
Klein
A
A
Jahr
S
S
Reishauer
A
A
Seidel
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001259:Ataxia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D001699:Biometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004856:Postural Balance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult