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Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cook, C; Hegedus, E
Published in: Man Ther
February 2011

The purpose of this study was to outline the clinical tests that exhibit the highest diagnostic utility for the spine. Using a sensitive search strategy but highly restrictive inclusion criteria based on assessment of quality and reduction of bias, we identified 16 well constructed diagnostic accuracy studies of the spine. Within the 16 studies, 14 clinical tests were identified, and of the 14, four cervical tests and two lumbar tests were considered good screening tools whereas one cervical test and five lumbar tests were considered good tools for confirmatory diagnosis. A significant number of clinical tests were not included in our final tally secondary to poor study designs and the risks associated with inflated findings and bias. High quality diagnostic accuracy studies for the spine are necessary to improve clinicians' abilities to rule out sinister disorders.

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Published In

Man Ther

DOI

EISSN

1532-2769

Publication Date

February 2011

Volume

16

Issue

1

Start / End Page

21 / 25

Location

Scotland

Related Subject Headings

  • Spinal Diseases
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Physical Examination
  • Orthopedics
  • Neck Pain
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Low Back Pain
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Cook, C., & Hegedus, E. (2011). Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction. Man Ther, 16(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.07.004
Cook, Chad, and Eric Hegedus. “Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction.Man Ther 16, no. 1 (February 2011): 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.07.004.
Cook C, Hegedus E. Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction. Man Ther. 2011 Feb;16(1):21–5.
Cook, Chad, and Eric Hegedus. “Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction.Man Ther, vol. 16, no. 1, Feb. 2011, pp. 21–25. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.07.004.
Cook C, Hegedus E. Diagnostic utility of clinical tests for spinal dysfunction. Man Ther. 2011 Feb;16(1):21–25.

Published In

Man Ther

DOI

EISSN

1532-2769

Publication Date

February 2011

Volume

16

Issue

1

Start / End Page

21 / 25

Location

Scotland

Related Subject Headings

  • Spinal Diseases
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Physical Examination
  • Orthopedics
  • Neck Pain
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Low Back Pain
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Humans