Table 3 Comparison of the Performance Characteristics of Physical Examination Tests with Physician Blinding to Imaging (Independent), and No Physician Blinding to Imaging (Non-Independent)
From: Bias in the physical examination of patients with lumbar radiculopathy
Examination Component | Independent Group | Non-Independent Group | p-value (between groups) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sens. (95% CI) | Sens. (95% CI) | ||
Sensitivity | |||
Provocative testing | 33 (24-42) | 31 (25-38) | 0.77 |
Motor strength testing | 39 (27-53) | 48 (38-57) | 0.33 |
Pinprick sensory testing | 20 (12-34) | 36 (27-46) | 0.05 |
Reflex testing | 32 (16-53) | 49 (37-62) | 0.17 |
Specificity | |||
Provocative testing | 95 (89-98) | 94 (89-96) | 0.66 |
Motor strength testing | 89 (84-92) | 86 (82-89) | 0.35 |
Pinprick sensory testing | 93 (89-96) | 92 (89-94) | 0.49 |
Reflex testing | 90 (81-95) | 92 (86-95) | 0.59 |