Toby M. Hall, Kim W. Robinson, Osamu Fujinawa, Kiyokazu Akasaka and Elizabeth A. Pyne
This article evaluates reliability and diagnostic validity of the cervical flexion-rotation test (FRT) to discriminate subjects with headache because of C1/2 dysfunction. In addition, this study evaluates agreement between experienced and inexperienced examiners. Sensitivity and specificity of the FRT was 90% and 88% with 92% agreement for experienced examiners. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 89%. For inexperienced examiners, FRT mobility was significantly greater than for experienced examiners, but sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and ? values were all within clinically acceptable levels.
The FRT can be used accurately and reliably by inexperienced examiners and may be a useful aid in CeH evaluation.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2008, 31(4), 293-300