Inter- and intraexaminer reliability of the Blair protractoview method: examination of a chiropractic radiographic technique

Abstract 

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intraexaminer reliability of the Blair protractoview radiographic method.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated 25 participants attending a Blair technique seminar. Participants included chiropractic students and doctors of chiropractic with more than 11 years of experience. Participants evaluated 100 Blair protractoview radiographs (oblique nasium). A κ analysis was used to determine the inter- and intraexaminer reliability because of the nominal categorical value of the variables. For the interexaminer reliability, a κ score was given for each examiner combination. The scores were then averaged to give the total interexaminer reliability.

Results

The overall interexaminer reliability showed substantial reliability at 0.62. Within-group κ values were as follows: no certification = 0.61, proficiency = 0.66, primary level = 0.61, and advanced level = 0.74. The overall intraexaminer reliability showed outstanding reliability at 0.81. Within-group κ values were as follows: no certification = 0.76, proficiency = 0.84, primary level = 0.82, and advanced level = 0.92. All κ values had a P value < .001.

Conclusion

The participants in this study showed good inter- and intraexaminer reliability using the Blair protractoview radiographic method.

Key indexing terms: Manipulation, Chiropractic, Reproducibility of results, Cervical, Atlas, Radiography, Diagnostic radiograph