Reliability and accuracy of the brachial plexus neurodynamic test.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The brachial plexus neurodynamic test (BPNT), based on previous neurodynamic tests, is considered a clinically meaningful tool to objectively assess brachial plexus extensibility. This novel test's psychometric properties have yet to be determined.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The primary study aim was to assess the inter- and intrarater reliability and accuracy of the BPNT, which biases the median nerve and brachial plexus, among clinicians of various professional experience levels and geographic US regions. The secondary study aim was to determine if professional experience or geographic region affects the accuracy levels of this test.

METHODS: In phase 1, inter-rater reliability and accuracy was determined. About 307 participants attending neural mobilization conferences and courses were instructed in the BPNT and asked to score 7 different videos of 14 possible test levels. In phase 2, intrarater reliability was determined via scoring the same test videos twice.

RESULTS: High inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (range, 0.98-0.99) and accuracy (range, 0.88-0.94) levels were determined for all clinical experience levels and geographic regions. Intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient values were high (range, 0.96-1.0) among all participants. One-way analysis of variance indicated no significant differences on test accuracy based on professional clinical experience (F = 0.104; P = .958) and geographic region (F = 0.416; P = .416) among all 307 participants.

DISCUSSION: Excellent inter- and intrarater reliability and accuracy levels may allow clinicians to correctly identify BPNT positions regardless of their professional experience or geographic location.

CONCLUSION: The BPNT can reliably and accurately quantify outcomes in neural mobility scoring.