Robert Cooperstein1, Charles Blum2, Elaine C Cooperstein3. 1. Professor Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Palmer Chiropractic College, West, San Jose, CA. 2. Research Chair, SOTO - USA, Sparta, NC. 3. Private Practice, San Jose, CA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to test methods needed to conduct a study with adequate power to investigate consistency between the arm-fossa test (AFT) and the Gillet test. METHODS: A convenience sample of chiropractic college students enrolled in a weekend Sacro-Occipital Technique seminar participated. Each was tested with AFT and sacroiliac orthopedic tests, including the Gillet test. Statistical testing included calculation of κ for consistency of the AFT and Gillet test and their diagnostic efficiency. RESULTS: This study recruited 14 participants. Important issues arose in gathering and recording data, the standardization of examiner methods, and the flow of participants to examination stations. κ for AFT and Gillet test consistency = 0.55, corresponding to "moderate." CONCLUSION: This pilot suggests that the future study should include a mix of symptomatic and asymptomatic participants; record trichotomous data, where appropriate; use washout periods between diagnostic tests; and refine the selection of orthopedic tests deployed besides the AFT. The preliminary data are consistent with but do not establish due to the very small sample size and experimental design issues, that a positive AFT may be consistent with a negative Gillet test.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to test methods needed to conduct a study with adequate power to investigate consistency between the arm-fossa test (AFT) and the Gillet test. METHODS: A convenience sample of chiropractic college students enrolled in a weekend Sacro-Occipital Technique seminar participated. Each was tested with AFT and sacroiliac orthopedic tests, including the Gillet test. Statistical testing included calculation of κ for consistency of the AFT and Gillet test and their diagnostic efficiency. RESULTS: This study recruited 14 participants. Important issues arose in gathering and recording data, the standardization of examiner methods, and the flow of participants to examination stations. κ for AFT and Gillet test consistency = 0.55, corresponding to "moderate." CONCLUSION: This pilot suggests that the future study should include a mix of symptomatic and asymptomatic participants; record trichotomous data, where appropriate; use washout periods between diagnostic tests; and refine the selection of orthopedic tests deployed besides the AFT. The preliminary data are consistent with but do not establish due to the very small sample size and experimental design issues, that a positive AFT may be consistent with a negative Gillet test.
Entities:
Keywords:
Chiropractic; Muscle strength; Palpation; Range of motion, articular; Reproducibility of results; Sacroiliac joint; Validity
Authors: Michael Walsh; Sadeesh K Srinathan; Daniel F McAuley; Marko Mrkobrada; Oren Levine; Christine Ribic; Amber O Molnar; Neil D Dattani; Andrew Burke; Gordon Guyatt; Lehana Thabane; Stephen D Walter; Janice Pogue; P J Devereaux Journal: J Clin Epidemiol Date: 2014-02-05 Impact factor: 6.437