A clinical tool for measuring functional axial rotation

Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. Motion of the neck and back accompany many daily functional activities. Available range of motion is usually measured regionally and within single planes of motion. This report describes a device and measurement technique that can be used to quantify axial motion in a functionally relevant context. Functional axial rotation (FAR) refers to the available motion that persons use to turn toward the posterior, without regard to the plane of motion; FAR-p refers to the physical motion available, and FAR-v refers to the ability to identify objects. SUBJECTS. Nine men and eight women, aged 20 to 74 years, participated. METHODS. Functional axial rotation was determined for each subject. The seated subjects were measured on 2 different days to determine test-retest reliability. Fifteen subjects were measured by two different examiners on the same day to determine interrater reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed to determine reliability. RESULTS. The FAR-p ranged from 78 to 190 degrees; FAR-v ranged from 135 to 250 degrees. Test-retest reliability of FAR-p and FAR-v was excellent (ICC[1, 1] values of .95 and .90, respectively, to the right and equivalent to the left). Interrater reliability likewise was excellent, with ICC(2, 1) values of .97 to the right and equivalent to the left. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION. Functional axial rotation provides one means of quantifying a patient's axial motion as it would be used in functional context. The FAR device is easy to construct and portable. Measurement of FAR provides the clinician with reliable information regarding the patient's functional use of available spinal motion, combined with visual ability.

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