On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: a literature review Applied kinesiology unreliable for assessing nutrient status. Test-retest-reliability and validity of the Kinesiology muscle test. Immediate Effects of Kinesiology Taping of Quadriceps on Motor Performance after Muscle Fatigued Induction Manual Therapy, Therapeutic Patient Education, and Therapeutic Exercise, an Effective Multimodal Treatment of Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessment of the Short-Term Effectiveness of Kinesiotaping and Trigger Points Release Used in Functional Disorders of the Masticatory Muscles The use of kinesiology taping method in patients with rheumatoid hand--pilot study. Observation and execution of upper-limb movements as a tool for rehabilitation of motor deficits in paretic stroke patients: protocol of a randomized clinical trial Using Kinematic Analysis to Evaluate Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Chronic Stroke Patients A blinded investigation into the accuracy of reflexology charts. Kinesiology tape does not facilitate muscle performance: A deceptive controlled trial. Kinesio Taping Does Not Provide Additional Benefits in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Who Receive Exercise and Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evaluation of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for post-treatment patients with cancer. Whole body vibration for older persons: an open randomized, multicentre, parallel, clinical trial Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunoglobulin levels for food allergies. Functional activity characteristics of individuals with shoulder dysfunctions. A randomized clinical trial of manual therapy and physiotherapy for persistent back and neck complaints: subgroup analysis and relationship between outcome measures.
INTRODUCTION A body of basic science and clinical research has been generated on the manual muscle test ( MMT ) since its first peer- review ed publication in 1915 . The aim of this report is to provide an historical overview , literature review , description , synthesis and critique of the reliability and validity of MMT in the evaluation of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems . METHODS Online re sources were search ed including Pubmed and CINAHL ( each from inception to June 2006 ) . The search terms manual muscle testing or manual muscle test were used . Relevant peer- review ed studies , commentaries , and review s were selected . The two review ers assessed data quality independently , with selection st and ards based on predefined method ologic criteria . Studies of MMT were categorized by research content type : inter- and intraexaminer reliability studies , and construct , content , concurrent and predictive validity studies . Each study was review ed in terms of its quality and contribution to knowledge regarding MMT , and its findings presented . RESULTS More than 100 studies related to MMT and the applied kinesiology chiropractic technique ( AK ) that employs  MMT  in its methodology were review ed , including studies on the clinical efficacy of MMT  in the diagnosis of patients with symptomatology . With regard to analysis there is evidence for good reliability and validity in the use of MMT for patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction . The observational cohort studies demonstrated good external and internal validity , and the 12 r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) that were review ed show that MMT findings were not dependent upon examiner bias . CONCLUSION The MMT employed by chiropractors , physical therapists , and neurologists was shown to be a clinical ly useful tool , but its ultimate scientific validation and application requires testing that employs sophisticated research models in the areas of neurophysiology , biomechanics , RCTs , and statistical analysis Applied kinesiology is a technique used to assess nutritional status on the basis of the response of muscles to mechanical stress . In this study , 11 subjects were evaluated independently by three experienced applied kinesiologists  for four nutrients ( thiamin , zinc , vitamin A , and ascorbic acid ) . The results obtained by those applied kinesiologists were compared with ( a ) one another , ( b ) st and ard laboratory tests for nutrient status , and ( c ) computerized isometric muscle testing . Statistical analysis yielded no significant interjudge reliability , no significant correlation between the testers and st and ard biochemical tests for nutrient status , and no significant correlation between mechanical and manual determinations of relative muscle strength . In addition , the subjects were exposed in a double-blind fashion to supplements of thiamin , zinc , vitamin A , and ascorbic acid and two placebos ( pectin and sucrose ) and then re-tested . According to applied kinesiology theory , " weak " ( indicating deficiency ) muscles are strengthened when the subject is exposed to an appropriate nutritional supplement . Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the response to placebo , nutrients previously determined ( by muscle testing ) to be deficient , and nutrients previously determined ( by muscle testing ) to be adequate . Even though the number of subjects ( 11 ) and nutrients ( 4 ) tested was limited , the results of this study indicated that the use of applied kinesiology to evaluate nutrient status is no more useful than r and om guessing OBJECTIVES To assess the test-retest-reliability and validity of the Health Kinesiology muscle test . PATIENTS Seven patients with clinical ly and allergologically confirmed wasp venom allergy . DESIGN Four Health Kinesiology-examiners tested each patient in a r and om order for 10 verum and 10 placebo bottles . All examiners used the anterior deltoid as indicator muscle . Patients and examiners were completely blinded . OUTCOME MEASURES Weak muscle holds were rated as ' sensitivity ' towards the test substance , stable holding as normal ( not sensitive ) . RESULTS An overall kappa of 0.03 ( 95%-CI : -0.02 - 0.07 ) indicates the test is not reliable . Individual kappas do not substantially vary from examiner to examiner . Sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 40 % and 60 % . CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the use of Health Kinesiology as a diagnostic tool is not more useful than r and om guessing . This should at least be true in patients with insect venom allergy that are tested by examiners with average skills Objectives . The purpose of this cross-sectional single-blind study was to investigate the immediate effects of Kinesiology taping of quadriceps on motor performance  after muscle fatigued induction . Design . R and omized controlled cross-sectional design . Subjects . Forty-five subjects participated in this study . Participants were divided into three groups : Kinesiology taping group , placebo taping group , and nontaping group . Methods . Subjects performed short-term exercise for muscle fatigued induction , followed by the application of each intervention . Peak torque test , one-leg single hop test , active joint position sense test , and one-leg static balance test were carried out before and after the intervention . Results . Peak torque and single-leg hopping distance were significantly increased when Kinesiology taping was applied ( p < 0.05 ) . But there were no significant effects on active joint position sense and single-leg static balance . Conclusions . We proved that Kinesiology taping is effective in restoring muscle power reduced after muscle fatigued induction . Therefore , we suggest that Kinesiology taping is beneficial for fatigued muscles Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a multimodal treatment in the short and medium term for disability in nonspecific chronic neck pain . Design The design of this study is a single-blinded r and omized controlled trial carried out in a university research laboratory . Forty-five patients between 18 and 65 yrs with nonspecific chronic neck pain were included in this study . Each patient was treated eight times over a 4-wk period . The sample was divided into three groups : control group , subjected to a protocol of manual therapy ; experimental group 1 , subjected to a protocol of manual therapy and therapeutic patient education ; and experimental group 2 , subjected to manual therapy , therapeutic patient education , and a therapeutic exercise protocol . Assessment s were performed at baseline and at 4 , 8 , and 16 wks using the following measurements : the Neck Disability Index , the 11-item Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia , the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Question naire , the Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance Test , and the Visual Analog Fatigue Scale . Results The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test for the Neck Disability Index showed statistically significant differences between baseline outcomes and all follow-up periods ( P < 0.01 ) . In the Kruskal-Wallis test , differences were found for the Visual Analog Fatigue Scale and the Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance Test in the follow-ups at 8 and 16 wks ( P < 0.05 ) . Analysis of variance for group × time interaction showed statistically significant changes ( Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia , F = 3.613 , P = 0.005 ; Fear Avoidance Beliefs Question naire , F = 2.803 , P = 0.022 ) . Minimal detectable changes were obtained in both experimental groups for the 11-item Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia but not in the control group . Conclusion Differences between experimental groups and the control group were found in the short and medium term . A multimodal treatment is a good method for reducing disability in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain in the short and medium term Chronic face pain syndrome is a diagnostic and therapeutic problem for many specialists , and this proves the interdisciplinary and complex nature of this ailment . Physiotherapy is of particular importance in the treatment of pain syndrome in the course of temporom and ibular joint functional disorders . In patients with long-term dysfunction of masticatory muscles , the palpation examination can localize trigger points , that is , thickening in the form of nodules in the size of rice grains or peas . Latent trigger points located in the muscles can interfere with muscular movement patterns , cause cramps , and reduce muscle strength . Because hidden trigger points can spontaneously activate , they should be found and released to prevent further escalation of the discomfort . Kinesiotaping ( KT ) is considered as an intervention that can be used to release latent myofascial trigger points . It is a method that involves applying specific tapes to the patient 's skin in order to take advantage of the natural self-healing processes of the body . The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the kinesiotaping method and trigger points inactivation on the nonpharmacological elimination of pain in patients with temporom and ibular disorders . The study was conducted in 60 patients ( 18 to 35 years old ) . The subjects were r and omly divided into two subgroups of 30 people each . Group KT ( 15 women and 15 men ) were subjected to active kinesiotaping application . Group TrP , composed of 16 women and 14 men , was subjected to physiotherapy with the release of trigger points by the ischemic compression method . The results show that the KT method and TrP inactivation brought significant therapeutic analgesic effects in the course of pain-related functional disorders of the muscles of mastication . The more beneficial outcomes of the therapy were observed after using the KT method , which increased the analgesic effect in dysfunctional patients BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) most frequently affects smaller joints in the h and s and feet . Among the most common deformations result ing from the progression of the disease are ulnar deviation , Boutonniere deformity , swan neck deformity , contractures and limited range of movement in the h and and wrist joints , muscular atrophy of long and short muscles . The topic of this article is the influence of using Kinesiology Taping method on the functioning of the h and of the patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis . MATERIAL AND METHODS The research involved 20 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis ( 16 women , 4 men ) , treated in the Hospital in Kup . Average age of patients was 62.2 . Research subjects , apart from pharmacological treatment in the hospital ward , received  st and ard physiotherapy . In case of 10 patients additional K-Active Tape applications were used to correct ulnar positioning of the h and and improve h and functioning . Prior to physiotherapy , all patients were given a h and functioning test and a dynamometer measurement was made . The tests were repeated after the 2-week rehabilitation process has been completed . The results were subjected to statistical analysis with the use of the Wilcoxon test and the U Mann-Whitney test . The assessment of the correlation between analysed parameters was made with the use of linear correlation test . RESULT In the group where Kinesiology Tape applications were used , h and muscle strength increased significantly ( p<0.05 ) in comparison with the group treated with st and ard physiotherapy .  H and muscle strength increase correlated with the tempo of carrying out the h and functioning test ( r>0.8 ) . CONCLUSION Results suggest Kinesiology Taping method useful for physiotherapy of rheumatoid h and Background Evidence exist that motor observation activates the same cortical motor areas that are involved in the performance of the observed actions . The so called “ mirror neuron system ” has been proposed to be responsible for this phenomenon . We employ this neural system and its capability to re-enact stored motor representations as a tool for rehabilitating motor control . In our new neurorehabilitative schema ( videotherapy ) we combine observation of daily actions with concomitant physical training of the observed actions focusing on the upper limbs . Following a pilot study in chronic patients in an ambulatory setting , we currently design ed a new multicenter clinical study dedicated to patients in the sub-acute state after stroke using a home-based self-induced training .  Within our protocol we assess 1 ) the capability of action observation to elicit rehabilitational effects in the motor system , and 2 ) the capacity of this schema to be performed by patients without assistance from a physiotherapist . The results of this study would be of high health and economical relevance . Methods / design A controlled , r and omized , multicenter , paralleled , 6 month follow-up study will be conducted on three groups of patients : one group will be given the experimental treatment whereas the other two will participate in control treatments .  All patients will undergo their usual rehabilitative treatment beside participation in the study . The experimental condition consists in the observation and immediate imitation of common daily h and and arm actions . The two parallel control groups are a placebo group and a group receiving usual rehabilitation without any trial-related treatment . Trial r and omization is provided via external data management . The primary efficacy endpoint is the improvement of the experimental group in a st and ardized motor function test ( Wolf Motor Function Test ) relative to control groups . Further assessment s refer to subjective and qualitative rehabilitational scores . This study has been review ed and approved by the ethics committee of Aachen University . Discussion This therapy provides an extension of therapeutic procedures for recovery after stroke and emphasizes the importance of action perception in neurorehabilitation The results of the study could become implemented into the wide physiotherapeutic practice , for example as an ad on and individualized therapy Objective . This preliminary study aims to verify if the method of kinematic analysis proposed here may be suitable for evaluating the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy ( CIMT ) in chronic stroke patients and may be of help in the study of the mechanisms underlying functional improvement following CIMT . Methods . Clinical and kinematic data were collected from a group of chronic stroke patients and from an age-matched healthy control group . Affected and less affected upper-limb kinematics related to h and -to-mouth and reaching movements were acquired before and immediately after 2 weeks of CIMT . Healthy subjects were su bmi tted to kinematic analysis of the nondominant side and reevaluated after 2 weeks . Results . The clinical results were consistent with those reported in the literature and showed motor function improvement of the hemiparetic limb after CIMT . Kinematic data of the healthy control group showed high test-retest reliability . Statistically significant differences between the affected limb and both the less affected limb and the healthy subjects ' nondominant limb were observed . After CIMT , kinematic data showed improvement in the speed of movement and in measures related to the capacity for coordination . Conclusions . The method of kinematic analysis was sensitive for an assessment of motor recovery induced by CIMT . The kinematic results suggest that the increase in the use of the paretic limb in activities of daily living after the intervention is not only attributable to the patient 's increased attention to it and better h and dexterity , but it is also a consequence of the improved speed of movement and better coordination between shoulder and elbow joints OBJECTIVES Reflexology is an increasingly popular complementary therapy in which parts of the body are deemed to be represented on the soles of the feet . The aim of this study was to investigate whether this representation can be used as a valid method of diagnosis . METHODS Three experienced reflexologists took part in this study . Eighteen adults with one or more of six specified conditions were identified from primary care records .  Two reflexologists , who were blinded to the patients ' conditions and monitored , then examined each patient 's feet and rated the probability that each of the six conditions was present . RESULTS There is little evidence that the distribution of ratings vary with the status of the condition . Receiver operating curves suggest that this diagnostic method is very poor at distinguishing between the presence and absence of conditions . Inter-rater reliability ( kappa ) scores were very low , providing no evidence of agreement between the examiners . CONCLUSION Despite certain limitations to the data provided by this study , the results do not suggest that reflexology techniques are a valid method of diagnosis Kinesiology tape ( KinTape ) is a therapeutic tape without much underst and ing of its mechanism . KinTape cl aims to increase cutaneous stimulation , which facilitates motor unit firing , and consequently improves functional performance ; however these , benefits could be due to placebo effects . This study investigated the true effects of KinTape by a deceptive , r and omized , and controlled trial . Thirty healthy participants performed isokinetic testing of three taping conditions :  true facilitative KinTape , sham KinTape , and no KinTape . The participants were blindfolded during the evaluation . Under the pretense of applying adhesive muscle sensors , KinTape was applied to their quadriceps in the first two conditions . Normalized peak torque , normalized total work , and time to peak torque were measured at two angular speeds ( 60 ° /s and 180 ° /s ) and analyzed with one-way repeated measures ANOVA . Participants were successfully deceived and they were ignorant about KinTape . No significant differences were found between normalized peak torque , normalized total work , and time to peak torque at 60 ° /s or 180 ° /s ( p = 0.31 - 0.99 ) between three taping conditions . The results showed that KinTape did not facilitate muscle performance in generating higher peak torque , yielding a greater total work , or inducing an earlier onset of peak torque . These findings suggest that previously reported muscle facilitatory effects using KinTape may be attributed to placebo effects Study Design R and omized controlled trial . Background Many clinical practice guidelines endorse both manual therapy and exercise as effective treatment options for patients with low back pain . To optimize the effects of the treatments recommended by the guidelines , a new intervention known as Kinesio Taping is being widely used in these patients . Objectives To determine the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain when added to a physical therapy program consisting of exercise and manual therapy . Methods One hundred forty-eight patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were r and omly allocated to receive 10 ( twice weekly ) sessions of physical therapy , consisting of exercise and manual therapy , or the same treatment with the addition of Kinesio Taping applied to the lower back . The primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability ( 5 weeks after r and omization ) and the secondary outcomes were pain intensity , disability ( 3 months and 6 months after r and omization ) , global perceived effect , and satisfaction with care ( 5 weeks after treatment ) . Data were collected by a blinded assessor . Results No between-group differences were observed in the primary outcomes of pain intensity ( mean difference , -0.01 points ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] : -0.88 , 0.85 ) or disability ( mean difference , 1.14 points ; 95 % CI : -0.85 , 3.13 ) at 5 weeks ' follow-up . In addition , no between-group differences were observed for any of the other outcomes evaluated , except for disability 6 months after r and omization ( mean difference , 2.01 points ; 95 % CI : 0.03 , 4.00 ) in favor of the control group . Conclusion Patients who received a physical therapy program consisting of exercise and manual therapy did not get additional benefit from the use of Kinesio Taping . Level of Evidence Therapy , level 1b . Prospect ively registered May 28 , 2013 at www . Clinical Trials.gov ( NCT01866332 ) . J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(7):506 - 513 . Epub 6 Jun 2016 . doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6590 PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life , fatigue , fear of movement ( kinesiophobia ) , distress , anxiety , depression , and physical condition . DESIGN Pretest/post-test . SETTING An outpatient rehabilitation setting in the Oncology Centre at the University Hospital Brussels in Belgium . SAMPLE 36 patients who had completed cancer treatment with a curative potential . METHODS Participants completed a question naire and underwent a physical test at baseline and at the end of the program . The measurement instruments used included the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality -of-Life Question naire-Core 30 , Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue , Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale , R AND -36 , Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia , Distress Barometer , and Tecumseh Step Test . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Quality of life , fatigue , kinesiophobia , distress , anxiety , depression , and physical condition . FINDINGS Significant improvement was observed in quality of life ( p < 0.001 ) , physical condition ( p = 0.007 ) , fatigue ( p = 0.01 ) , and depression ( p = 0.012 ) . In contrast , kinesiophobia ( p = 0.229 ) , distress ( p = 0.344 ) , and anxiety ( p = 0.101 ) did not change significantly . CONCLUSIONS A general and significant improvement in all aspects affecting quality of life and rehabilitation was observed , but less so for aspects that might be influenced by prognostic concerns . The relative contribution of the program versus spontaneous recovery and long-term impact need to be determined further in a prospect i ve r and omized study . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING Multidisciplinary rehabilitation should become part of the total care plan for patients with cancer Background Institutionalized older persons have a poor functional capacity . Including physical exercise in their routine activities decreases their frailty and improves their quality of life . Whole-body vibration ( WBV ) training is a type of exercise that seems beneficial in frail older persons to improve their functional mobility , but the evidence is inconclusive . This trial will compare the results of exercise with WBV and exercise without WBV in improving body balance , muscle performance and fall prevention in institutionalized older persons . Methods / Design An open , multicentre and parallel r and omized clinical trial with blinded assessment . 160 nursing home residents aged over 65 years and of both sexes will be identified to participate in the study . Participants will be central ly r and omised and allocated to interventions ( vibration or exercise group ) by telephone . The vibration group will perform static/dynamic exercises ( balance and resistance training ) on a vibratory platform ( Frequency : 30 - 35 Hz ; Amplitude : 2 - 4 mm ) over a six-week training period ( 3 sessions/week ) . The exercise group will perform the same exercise protocol but without a vibration stimuli platform . The primary outcome measure is the static/dynamic body balance . Secondary outcomes are muscle strength and , number of new falls . Follow-up measurements will be collected at 6 weeks and at 6 months after r and omization . Efficacy will be analysed on an intention-to-treat ( ITT ) basis and ' per protocol ' . The effects of the intervention will be evaluated using the " t " test , Mann-Witney test , or Chi-square test , depending on the type of outcome . The final analysis will be performed 6 weeks and 6 months after r and omization . Discussion This study will help to clarify whether WBV training improves body balance , gait mobility and muscle strength in frail older persons living in nursing homes . As far as we know , this will be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of WBV for the prevention of falls . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov : The pilot study attempted to determine whether subjective muscle testing employed by Applied Kinesiology practitioners , prospect ively determine those individuals with specific hyperallergenic responses . Seventeen subjects were found positive on Applied Kinesiology ( A.K. ) muscle testing screening procedures indicating food hypersensitivity ( allergy ) reactions . Each subject showed muscle weakening ( inhibition ) reactions to oral provocative testing of one or two foods for a total of 21 positive food reactions . Tests for a hypersensitivity reaction of the serum were performed using both a radio-allergosorbent test ( RAST ) and immune complex test for IgE and IgG against all 21 of the foods that tested positive with A.K. muscle screening procedures . These serum tests confirmed 19 of the 21 food allergies ( 90.5 % ) suspected based on the applied kinesiology screening procedures . This pilot study offers a basis to examine further a means by which to predict the clinical utility of a given substance for a given patient , based on the patterns of neuromuscular response elicited from the patient , representing a conceptual expansion of the st and ard neurological examination process Shoulder-related dysfunction affects individuals ' ability to function independently and thus decreases quality of life . Functional task assessment is a key concern for a clinician in diagnostic assessment , outcome measurement , and planning of treatment programs . The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of the FASTRAK 3-dimensional ( 3-D ) motion analysis and surface electromyography ( sEMG ) systems to analyze 3-D shoulder complex movements during functional tasks and compare motion patterns between subjects with and without shoulder dysfunctions (SDs).For the test , sEMG and 3-D motion analysis systems were used to characterize the functional tasks . Twenty-five asymptomatic male subjects and 21 male subjects with right shoulder disorders performed four functional tasks which involved arm reaching and raising activities with their dominant arms . Reliability was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC ) . Motion pattern was compared between two groups using mixed analysis of variances ( ANOVAs ) . Shoulder complex kinematics and associated muscular activities during functional tasks were reliably quantified ( ICC=0.83 - 0.99 ) from the means of three trials . Relative to the group without SDs , the group with SDs showed significant alteration in shoulder complex kinematics ( 3 degrees -40 degrees ) and associated muscular activities ( 3 - 10 % maximum ) . Scapular tipping , scapular elevation , upper trapezius muscle function , and serratus anterior muscle function may have implication s in the rehabilitation of patients with SDs OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy of manual therapy and physiotherapy in subgroups of patients with persistent back and neck complaints . The second objective was to determine the correlation between three important outcome measures used in this trial . DESIGN R and omized clinical trial ( subgroup analysis ) . SETTING Primary health care in the Netherl and s. PATIENTS Two hundred fifty-six patients with nonspecific back and neck complaints of at least 6 wk duration who had not received physiotherapy or manual therapy in the past 2 yr . INTERVENTIONS At the discretion of the manual therapists , physiotherapists and general practitioners . Physiotherapy consisted of exercises , massage and physical therapy ( heat , electrotherapy , ultrasound , shortwave diathermy ) . Manual therapy consisted of manipulation and mobilization of the spine . Treatment by the general practitioner consisted of drugs ( e.g. , analgesics ) , advice about posture , home exercises and (bed)rest . Placebo treatment consisted of detuned shortwave diathermy ( 10 min ) and detuned ultrasound ( 10 min ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in severity of the main complaint and limitation of physical functioning measured on 10-point scales by a blinded research assistant and global perceived effect measured on a 6-point scale by the patients . RESULTS Improvement in the main complaint was larger with manual therapy ( 4.3 ) than with physiotherapy ( 2.5 ) for patients with chronic conditions ( duration complaint of 1 yr or longer ) . Also , improvement in the main complaint was larger with manual therapy ( 5.5 ) than with physiotherapy ( 4.0 ) for patients younger than 40 yr ( both were measured after 12-mo follow-up ) . Labeling of patients by the treating manual therapists as " suitable " or " not suitable " for treatment with manual therapy did not predict differences in outcomes . Generally , there was a moderate to strong correlation between the three outcome measures , although a considerable number of patients gave a relatively low score for perceived benefit , while the research assistant gave a high improvement score for the main complaint and physical functioning . CONCLUSIONS The subgroup analysis suggests better results of manual therapy compared to physiotherapy in chronic patients ( duration of present complaints of 1 yr or longer ) and in patients younger than 40 yr old ) . Differences for other subgroups were less clear . The explorative findings of these subgroup analyses have to be investigated in future research
Conclusion : There is insufficient evidence for diagnostic accuracy within kinesiology , the validity of muscle response and the effectiveness of kinesiology for any condition .
Introduction : Kinesiology is a diagnostic , therapeutic complementary therapy utilising subtle change in manual muscle testing results to evaluate the body ’s energetic balance and select healing modalities .
Anecdotal evidence suggests kinesiology is helpful , therefore we wished to critically review the literature .
Aims : ( 1 ) To ascertain if diagnostic accuracy including inter-examiner reliability has been established . (
2 ) To review whether there is evidence for its therapeutic effectiveness . (
3 ) To critically assess the quality of relevant studies .