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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the intertester reliability of assessments
of the presence of trigger points in the region of the lumbar spine of patients with
low back pain (LBP). A total of six trigger points described by Travell and Simons
were studied. The trigger point examination procedures described by Travell and Simons
were used by 12 physical therapists. Randomly paired therapists examined 50 patients
for 197 trigger points. The Kappa coefficient, percent agreement, the observed proportion
of positive agreement (Ppos), and the observed proportion of negative agreement (Pneg)
were used to describe reliability. Kappa values ranged from .29 to .38. Percent agreement
ranged from 76% to 79%. Ppos ranged from .43 to .52. The low Kappa and Ppos values
suggest different therapists are unable to reliably determine when a trigger point
is present in a patient with LBP. This study suggests the usefulness of examining
for the presence of trigger points in patients with LBP should be questioned.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 30,
1991
Received:
September 19,
1991
Identification
Copyright
© 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.
