Reliability and concurrent validity of the BROM II for measuring lumbar mobility.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the reliability of the BROM II device for measuring lumbar mobility in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes and its validity against the double inclinometer method.

DESIGN

Blind intra- and interexaminer reliability and concurrent validity. Interexaminer reliability was determined between two examiners.

SETTING

Chiropractice teaching college.

SUBJECTS

Forty-seven asymptomatic chiropractic students (27 men and 20 women, age range 18 to 38 yr).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Lumbar mobility measurement in degrees using the BROM II and double inclinometer techniques.

RESULTS

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) showed good intra- and interexaminer reliability of the BROM II for flexion (0.91 and 0.77, respectively) and lateral flexion (0.91 and 0.85 respectively). Less support was given to the reliability of the instrument in extension (0.63 and 0.35, respectively) and rotation (0.57 and 0.36 respectively). Concurrent validity of the BROM II and double inclinometer methods was partially supported (ICC in all planes range from 0.27 to 0.75).

CONCLUSION

The BROM II was found to be a reliable instrument in the measurement of lumbar mobility in the sagittal (flexion) and coronal planes. However, before this device can be recommended as an assessment tool in clinical practice or clinical trials, further investigation into its reliability in a symptomatic group of patients is required. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1995; 18:497-502).