NECK MOBILITY ASSESSMENT IN ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS - A CLINICAL-STUDYOF 9 MEASUREMENTS INCLUDING NEW TAPE METHODS FOR CERVICAL ROTATION AND LATERAL FLEXION

The objective was to carry out a clinical assessment of different cerv ical mobility measurements in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), including t wo new tape methods for measuring cervical rotation and lateral bendin g. A range of cervical movements was measured in 52 consecutive male A S patients and the results correlated with detailed radiological chang es in the whole spine and sacroiliac joints. Occiput-and tragus-to-wal l distance (OWD/TWD), cervical rotation (CR) and lateral flexion (CLF) using a Myrin inclinometer (My) and a tape method (t), cervical flexi on-extension (CF1-CExt/My) motion and chin-chest distance (CCD) measur ements were taken and repeated (test-retest). The results showed a hig hly significant correlation of all measurements with cervical radiolog ical changes, except for CCD, and also those of OWD/TWD with lumbar ch anges. CLF and CExt also correlated significantly with lumbar changes, other measurements did not, and only TWD and CExt correlated with tho racic changes. All measurements showed good reliability, intra-class c orrelation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.89 to 0.98. Occiput-or tr agus-to-wall distance, cervical extension and lateral flexion proved t o be valid and reliable measurements in AS, but cervical relation also appeared to be a clinically relevant method. Cervical lateral flexion is a recommendable measurement for clinical trials in AS. The two new tape methods for measuring cervical rotation and lateral bending were as valid and reliable as the inclinometer method (Myrin), but also qu ick and easy. Chin-to-chest distance was not among the most valid test s in AS.