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 .
On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: a literature review
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
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 .