title: Reproducibility of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for individuals with sub-acute whiplash associated disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the cervical range of motion device when measuring both active and passive range of motion in a group of individuals with sub-acute Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited as part of a large multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial from UK emergency departments. Experienced research physiotherapists measured active and passive cervical spine movements in all directions. Both intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement were assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement and limits of agreement methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Different groups of 39 and 19 subjects were included in the intra and inter-observer studies, respectively. The CROM device demonstrated substantial intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement for all the active and passive half-cycle movements (ICC range 0.82-0.99) with the exception of one (passive right lateral flexion for inter-observer; ICC 0.77).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CROM device has proven to be a reproducible measurement method for a symptomatic WAD population using the measurement protocol described and can be used with confidence to differentiate individuals according to a single measurement.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. m.a.williams.3@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*