title: Reproducibility of the kinematics in rotational high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust of the upper cervical spine: a cadaveric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility of the kinematics in rotational high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust of the upper cervical spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty fresh human cervical specimens were studied in a test-retest situation with 2 manual therapists. Kinematics of C1-C2 and C0-C1 were examined during segmental rotational HVLA manipulation through an ultrasound-based tracking system. The thrust moment was analyzed by 3-dimensional aspects: the range of motion of axial rotation, flexion-extension, lateral banding, and the cross-correlation between the axial rotation and the coupled lateral banding components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During rotational HVLA thrust on C1-C2, the main axial rotation demonstrates an intraexaminer relationship varying from almost perfect to fair (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.71; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.35) and a substantial interexaminer correlation of 0.73.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed substantial levels of reliability for the main axial rotation component of segmental manual rotational HVLA thrust on C1-C2. Intra- and interrater reliability for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and cross-correlation was low.
authors.affiliation: Researcher, IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: silvia.gianola@grupposandonato.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gianola
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cattrysse
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Provyn
authors.affiliation: Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Roy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012399:Rotation
keywords: Cervical Vertebrae; Manipulation; Reproducibility of Results; Spinal