Objectives: To assess the reliability of the SpinT, a new protractor-based device, for measuring active cervical spine ranges of motion. In addition, to compare the accuracy of the Cervical Ranges of Motion (CROM) instrument and SpinT measurements of rotation about the Y axis with and without tilt, the former motion occurring during natural rotation of the head.
Study design: Interexaminer reliability, intraexaminer reliability, and accuracy trials were conducted.
Methods: Two examiners made 2 individual measurements of each of the individual cervical ranges of motion of 23 patients (15 men, 8 women; aged 21 to 42 years) with no cervical symptoms. The patients were asked to move their necks to end range while they sat upright. The accuracy of the CROM instrument and SpinT goniometers was assessed with a testing instrument capable of rotating and/or tilting to preset angles and upon which either device could be positioned.
Results: There was excellent agreement between the SpinT measurements of rotation about the Y axis compared with the readings from the testing platform regardless of the angle of tilt, whereas the CROM instrument displayed poor concordance when the tilt exceeded 5 degrees. The reliability trials generally yielded close agreement between the examiners, especially regarding measurements of rotation left and right and extension and revealed higher concordance regarding intraexaminer results.
Conclusion: This study indicates that SpinT measurements of active cervical ranges of motion are reliable and that the SpinT goniometer accurately measures rotation with associated tilt.