Thompson, Joseph (2003) Reliability and validity of selected pain provocation tests at the sacroiliac joint. Coursework Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a true source of pain commonly tested in osteopathic practice. This study investigated the inter examiner reliability and validity of pain provocation tests at the SIJ. Two examiners tested fifty participants, mean age 23. Sixteen participants were symptomatic for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Examiners were blinded to participants inclusion criteria and examinations findings. Cohen's kappa and percentage agreement were used to evaluate inter examiner reliability. Validity was measured using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Percentage agreement between examiners was 76% and Cohen's kappa findings included a kappa = 0.475 overall. Total validity findings included; sensitivity 0.34, specificity 0.93, positive predictive value 0.70 and negative predictive value 0.75. Investigation identified a poor level of validity of pain provocation tests at the SIJ and of inter examiner agreement using compression and gapping tests. A good level of inter examiner agreement occurred using the high thrust and Faber test (k=0.674 0.611 respectively). This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

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