Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Spine Journal 5/2012

01-05-2012 | Original Article

Reproducibility of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for individuals with sub-acute whiplash associated disorders

Authors: Mark A. Williams, Esther Williamson, Simon Gates, Matthew W. Cooke

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 5/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

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.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Maitland GD (2001) Maitland’s vertebral manipulation. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford Maitland GD (2001) Maitland’s vertebral manipulation. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
2.
go back to reference Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, Cassidy JD, Duranceau J, Suissa S, Zeiss E (1995) Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on whiplash-associated disorders: redefining “whiplash” and its management. Spine 20:1S–73S [erratum appears in Spine 1995 Nov 1;20(21):2372]PubMedCrossRef Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, Cassidy JD, Duranceau J, Suissa S, Zeiss E (1995) Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on whiplash-associated disorders: redefining “whiplash” and its management. Spine 20:1S–73S [erratum appears in Spine 1995 Nov 1;20(21):2372]PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Dall’Alba PT, Sterling MM, Treleaven JM, Edwards SL, Jull GA (2001) Cervical range of motion discriminates between asymptomatic persons and those with whiplash. Spine 26:2090–2094PubMedCrossRef Dall’Alba PT, Sterling MM, Treleaven JM, Edwards SL, Jull GA (2001) Cervical range of motion discriminates between asymptomatic persons and those with whiplash. Spine 26:2090–2094PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Cagnie B, Cools A, De Loose V, Cambier D, Danneels L (2007) Reliability and normative database of the Zebris cervical range-of-motion system in healthy controls with preliminary validation in a group of patients with neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 30:450–455PubMedCrossRef Cagnie B, Cools A, De Loose V, Cambier D, Danneels L (2007) Reliability and normative database of the Zebris cervical range-of-motion system in healthy controls with preliminary validation in a group of patients with neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 30:450–455PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Kasch H, Bach FW, Jensen TS (2001) Handicap after acute whiplash injury: a 1-year prospective study of risk factors. Neurology 56:1637–1643PubMed Kasch H, Bach FW, Jensen TS (2001) Handicap after acute whiplash injury: a 1-year prospective study of risk factors. Neurology 56:1637–1643PubMed
6.
go back to reference Hartling L, Brison RJ, Ardern C, Pickett W (2001) Prognostic value of the quebec classification of whiplash-associated disorders. Spine 26:36–41PubMedCrossRef Hartling L, Brison RJ, Ardern C, Pickett W (2001) Prognostic value of the quebec classification of whiplash-associated disorders. Spine 26:36–41PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Bogduk N, Mercer S (2000) Biomechanics of the cervical spine. I: Normal kinematics. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 15:633–648CrossRef Bogduk N, Mercer S (2000) Biomechanics of the cervical spine. I: Normal kinematics. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 15:633–648CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Jordan K (2000) Assessment of published reliability studies for cervical spine range-of-motion measurement tools. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 23:180–195PubMedCrossRef Jordan K (2000) Assessment of published reliability studies for cervical spine range-of-motion measurement tools. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 23:180–195PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference de Koning C, van den Heuvel S, Staal J, Smits-Engelsman B, Hendriks E (2008) Clinimetric evaluation of active range of motion measures in patients with non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. Eur Spine J 17:905–921PubMedCrossRef de Koning C, van den Heuvel S, Staal J, Smits-Engelsman B, Hendriks E (2008) Clinimetric evaluation of active range of motion measures in patients with non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. Eur Spine J 17:905–921PubMedCrossRef
10.
11.
go back to reference Hole DE, Cook JM, Bolton JE (1995) Reliability and concurrent validity of two instruments for measuring cervical range of motion: effects of age and gender. Man ther 1:36–42PubMedCrossRef Hole DE, Cook JM, Bolton JE (1995) Reliability and concurrent validity of two instruments for measuring cervical range of motion: effects of age and gender. Man ther 1:36–42PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Tousignant M, de Bellefeuille L, O’Donoughue S, Grahovac S (2000) Criterion validity of the cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer for cervical flexion and extension. Spine 25:324–330PubMedCrossRef Tousignant M, de Bellefeuille L, O’Donoughue S, Grahovac S (2000) Criterion validity of the cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer for cervical flexion and extension. Spine 25:324–330PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Tousignant M, Duclos E, Lafleche S, Mayer A, Tousignant-Laflamme Y, Brosseau L, O’Sullivan JP (2002) Validity study for the cervical range of motion device used for lateral flexion in patients with neck pain. Spine 27:812–817PubMedCrossRef Tousignant M, Duclos E, Lafleche S, Mayer A, Tousignant-Laflamme Y, Brosseau L, O’Sullivan JP (2002) Validity study for the cervical range of motion device used for lateral flexion in patients with neck pain. Spine 27:812–817PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Tousignant M, Smeesters C, Breton AM, Breton E, Corriveau H (2006) Criterion validity study of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for rotational range of motion on healthy adults. J Orthop Sports Physic Ther 36:242–248 Tousignant M, Smeesters C, Breton AM, Breton E, Corriveau H (2006) Criterion validity study of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for rotational range of motion on healthy adults. J Orthop Sports Physic Ther 36:242–248
15.
go back to reference Lamb SE, Gates S, Underwood MR, Cooke MW, Ashby D, Szczepura A, Williams MA, Williamson EM, Withers EJ, Mt Isa S, Gumber A, Team MS (2007) Managing Injuries of the Neck Trial (MINT): design of a randomised controlled trial of treatments for whiplash associated disorders. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 8:7PubMedCrossRef Lamb SE, Gates S, Underwood MR, Cooke MW, Ashby D, Szczepura A, Williams MA, Williamson EM, Withers EJ, Mt Isa S, Gumber A, Team MS (2007) Managing Injuries of the Neck Trial (MINT): design of a randomised controlled trial of treatments for whiplash associated disorders. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 8:7PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Bland J, Altman D (1986) Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet 1:307–310PubMedCrossRef Bland J, Altman D (1986) Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet 1:307–310PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Shrout PE (1998) Measurement reliability and agreement in psychiatry. Stat Methods Med Res 7:301–317PubMedCrossRef Shrout PE (1998) Measurement reliability and agreement in psychiatry. Stat Methods Med Res 7:301–317PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Walter SD, Eliasziw M, Donner A (1998) Sample size and optimal designs for reliability studies. Stat Med 17:101–110PubMedCrossRef Walter SD, Eliasziw M, Donner A (1998) Sample size and optimal designs for reliability studies. Stat Med 17:101–110PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Chen J, Solinger AB, Poncet JF, Lantz CA (1999) Meta-analysis of normative cervical motion. Spine 24:1571–1578PubMedCrossRef Chen J, Solinger AB, Poncet JF, Lantz CA (1999) Meta-analysis of normative cervical motion. Spine 24:1571–1578PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Assink N, Bergman GJ, Knoester B, Winters JC, Dijkstra PU, Postema K (2005) Interobserver reliability of neck-mobility measurement by means of the flock-of-birds electromagnetic tracking system. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 28:408–413PubMedCrossRef Assink N, Bergman GJ, Knoester B, Winters JC, Dijkstra PU, Postema K (2005) Interobserver reliability of neck-mobility measurement by means of the flock-of-birds electromagnetic tracking system. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 28:408–413PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Youdas JW, Carey JR, Garrett TR (1991) Reliability of measurements of cervical spine range of motion—comparison of three methods. Phys Ther 71:98–104PubMed Youdas JW, Carey JR, Garrett TR (1991) Reliability of measurements of cervical spine range of motion—comparison of three methods. Phys Ther 71:98–104PubMed
22.
go back to reference Peolsson A, Hednlund R, Ertzgaard S, Oberg B (2000) Intra- and inter-tester reliability and range of motion of the neck. Physiother Can Summer 52:233–242 Peolsson A, Hednlund R, Ertzgaard S, Oberg B (2000) Intra- and inter-tester reliability and range of motion of the neck. Physiother Can Summer 52:233–242
23.
go back to reference Love S, Gringmuth RH, Kazemi M, Cornacchia P, Schmolke M (1998) Interexaminer and intraexaminer reliability of cervical passive range of motion using the CROM and Cybex 320 EDI. J Can Chiropr Assoc 42:222–228 Love S, Gringmuth RH, Kazemi M, Cornacchia P, Schmolke M (1998) Interexaminer and intraexaminer reliability of cervical passive range of motion using the CROM and Cybex 320 EDI. J Can Chiropr Assoc 42:222–228
24.
go back to reference Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J (1996) The interexaminer reliability of measuring passive cervical range of motion, revisited. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 19:302–305PubMed Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J (1996) The interexaminer reliability of measuring passive cervical range of motion, revisited. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 19:302–305PubMed
25.
go back to reference Dvir Z, Gal-Eshel N, Shamir B, Prushansky T, Pevzner E, Peretz C (2006) Cervical motion in patients with chronic disorders of the cervical spine: a reproducibility study. Spine 31:E394–E399PubMedCrossRef Dvir Z, Gal-Eshel N, Shamir B, Prushansky T, Pevzner E, Peretz C (2006) Cervical motion in patients with chronic disorders of the cervical spine: a reproducibility study. Spine 31:E394–E399PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Gelalis I, DeFrate L, Stafilas K, Pakos E, Kang J, Gilbertson L (2009) Three-dimensional analysis of cervical spine motion: reliability of a computer assisted magnetic tracking device compared to inclinometer. Eur Spine J 18:276–281PubMedCrossRef Gelalis I, DeFrate L, Stafilas K, Pakos E, Kang J, Gilbertson L (2009) Three-dimensional analysis of cervical spine motion: reliability of a computer assisted magnetic tracking device compared to inclinometer. Eur Spine J 18:276–281PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Reproducibility of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for individuals with sub-acute whiplash associated disorders
Authors
Mark A. Williams
Esther Williamson
Simon Gates
Matthew W. Cooke
Publication date
01-05-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2096-8

Other articles of this Issue 5/2012

European Spine Journal 5/2012 Go to the issue