A randomised observational study of individualised variations in the start position of the Closed-Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test.

Abstract

Objectives To assess the reliability, precision and differences between scores produced using the standard 36″” start position and 3 modified start positions of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST), towards normalisation to the individual. Design RCT of 4 conditions. Setting Clinical. Participants Thirty-four asymptomatic individuals. Main outcome measures Using an RCT method, variations in CKCUEST starting hand position were tested using hand spacing at standard 36″, 50% height, bi-acromial distance, and bi-acromial distance with reach to 36″. The average number of touches over 3 × 15 s maximal efforts were averaged. The intra-variation reliability, minimum detectable change (MDC) and differences to the standard 36″” start position were tested. Results The most reliable variation was the 50% height (ICC: 0.93) and with the smallest MDC (14%). 36″ results were second-most reliable (ICC: 0.90), with a low MDC (19%). Significant differences were found between bi-acromial and 50% height to the 36″” standard setup. Conclusions A setup position where the hand separation is 50% of the individual's height offers excellent repeated measures reliability and the smallest MDC, suggesting it is the most sensitive to change and is a recommendation to clinicians. Conversion calculations between start variations are presented.