Abstract
Statistical analysis was performed on data from the motion palpation of the sacroiliac joints of 46 subjects by pairs of chiropractic examiners. The composite data from all subjects showed a highly significant interexaminer correlation, although several individual parameters of assessment were found to be insignificant. The subjects were mostly drawn from a population without significant low back symptoms and this may affect the interpretation of these data. The specific motion palpation tests which were studied were found to have high specificity, and low sensitivity. Agreement was enhanced in subjects without lesions, and diminished in the presence of highly abnormal function of the sacroiliac joints. Quantitative examination (for degree of fixation) was shown to yield significantly less agreement than qualitative agreement. Finally, the data suggests that expertise in utilizing the techniques (which were studied) may enhance interexaminer correlation and agreement.