Reproducibility of the measurement of active and passive cervical range of motion.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of tests for the active and passive range of motion used in the physical examination for patients with neck pain. The secondary aim was to determine whether the history of the patients influences the reproducibility and the prevalence of positive findings.

Methods: Sixty-nine participants were recruited in 3 physical therapy practices. Two examiners independently performed a physical examination on all participants. The examiners were blinded for patient characteristics (neck pain/no neck pain) and each other's findings. History findings were available for only half the patients with neck pain. Cohen's kappa was used to express reproducibility.

Results: The reproducibility for active and passive range of motion was moderate (kappa = 0.52 and 0.54, respectively), but a wide range in kappa scores was found. Extension of the neck showed good reproducibility for both active and passive movements (kappa = 0.88 and 0.85), whereas lateral flexion showed poor reproducibility (kappa = 0.35 and 0.33). Knowledge of history had no influence on the reproducibility and prevalence of positive findings.

Conclusion: The reproducibility for active and passive range of motion is moderate. Knowledge of the patient's history did not influence the reproducibility and prevalence of positive findings.