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Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Commentary

Common errors and clinical guidelines for manual muscle testing: "the arm test" and other inaccurate procedures

Authors: Walter H Schmitt Jr, Scott C Cuthbert

Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

The manual muscle test (MMT) has been offered as a chiropractic assessment tool that may help diagnose neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. We contend that due to the number of manipulative practitioners using this test as part of the assessment of patients, clinical guidelines for the MMT are required to heighten the accuracy in the use of this tool.

Objective

To present essential operational definitions of the MMT for chiropractors and other clinicians that should improve the reliability of the MMT as a diagnostic test. Controversy about the usefulness and reliability of the MMT for chiropractic diagnosis is ongoing, and clinical guidelines about the MMT are needed to resolve confusion regarding the MMT as used in clinical practice as well as the evaluation of experimental evidence concerning its use.

Discussion

We expect that the resistance to accept the MMT as a reliable and valid diagnostic tool will continue within some portions of the manipulative professions if clinical guidelines for the use of MMT methods are not established and accepted. Unreliable assessments of this method of diagnosis will continue when non-standard MMT research papers are considered representative of the methods used by properly trained clinicians.

Conclusion

Practitioners who employ the MMT should use these clinical guidelines for improving their use of the MMT in their assessments of muscle dysfunction in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Common errors and clinical guidelines for manual muscle testing: "the arm test" and other inaccurate procedures
Authors
Walter H Schmitt Jr
Scott C Cuthbert
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 2045-709X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-16-16

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