Reproducibility of manual pressure force on provocation of the sacroiliac joint

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Abstract
Background and Purpose: Previous studies of pain‐provocation sacroiliac (SI) joint tests have revealed conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intra‐ and inter‐test reliability of pressure force applied during distraction test, compression test and pressure on the apex sacralis.Methods: Seventeen physiotherapists (PTs), median age 43 years and median clinical experience 11 years, all experienced in musculoskeletal evaluation and therapy, participated in the study. Each PT performed each test on the same healthy volunteer for 20 s, on three separate occasions, at intervals of one week using a specially constructed examination table which registered pressure force.Results: The PTs were capable of maintaining a relatively constant pressure force for 20s. The intra‐test reliability was acceptable even though there were individual differences on different occasions between those PTs who used the SI joint tests often and those who seldom or never used them. The inter‐test reliability was insufficient.Conclusions: The findings indicate the advantage of registering pressure force as a complement for standardized methods for pain‐provoking tests and when learning provocation tests, since individual variability was considerable. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.