The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability for measures of passive rotation of the cervical spine with a big protractor. A pre-study with a doll before performing the study with infants. Öhman A 2025
Abstract
Infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) often have some
degree of limited rotation in the cervical spine toward the affected side.
Measurement of passive range of motion (PROM) is an essential part
of the examination. The aim of this study was to look for inter-rater and
intra-rater reliability for measures of PROM in cervical rotation with a big
protractor.
Method: Three physical therapists (PT) and one pediatric nurse
participated in the evaluation of intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for
PROM measurements of cervical rotation with a protractor. Three dolls
were used instead of infants to exclude an unwillingness in infants that
likely would restrain repeated measurements. The study was carried out
in two parts, part I with a doll in real time and part II with photographs of
three dolls in different positions.
Results: Both the intra-rater and inter-rater intraclass correlation
coefficient (ICC) was >0.9. Inter-rater reliability was high for both the
experienced and less experienced evaluators, it was however highest for
the more experienced PT.
Conclusion: The reliability of measuring passive cervical rotation with
a protractor was high in both intra-rater and inter-rater measurements
regardless of short or long experience as a PT.