Active neck motion measurements with a tape measure*.

The purposes of this study were to determine if the tape measuring method is a reliable method of measuring six active neck motions, to estimate measurement errors, and to compare the intratester reliability between an experienced tester and an inexperienced tester by using this method. Each tester measured 17 different normal subjects. Each active neck motion was randomly measured twice. The intratester reliability coefficients, determined by correlation analysis, ranged from 0.80 to 0.95 for the experienced tester and 0.78 to 0.9 1 for the inexperienced tester. The 99% confidence interval for measurement error was calculated for each motion. The estimated errors in repeating measurements appeared less in the experienced tester than the inexperienced tester. However, the intratester reliability did not differ significantly between testers for all motions except extension (F = 7.68, p < 0.002). This study indicated that the tape measuring method is a reliable means for clinicians to assess neck range of motion. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;8(2):88-90.