• C Perret, S Poiraudeau, J Fermanian, M M Colau, M A Benhamou, and M Revel.
• Hôpital Cochin, Service de rééducation et de réadaptation de l'appareil locomoteur et des pathologies du rachis, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, Université René Descartes, Paris, France.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Nov 1; 82 (11): 1566-70.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the fingertip-to-floor test to assess total mobility when bending forward in standing position.DesignExperimental, prospective, correlational.SettingRehabilitation and radiology departments in a university hospital in France.ParticipantsTen patients (6 women, 4 men; mean age, 42yr) with chronic low back pain (LBP) in the validity study; 32 LBP patients (16 women, 16 men; mean age, 52yr) in the reliability study; and 72 LBP patients (22 women, 50 men; mean age, 30yr) in the responsiveness study.InterventionsDynamic radiographs and fingertip-to-floor test.Main Outcome MeasuresFor the validity study, 2 lateral radiographs of the upper dorsal spine, 1 in neutral position, and then 1 in full trunk flexion, were made. Validity was assessed by means of Spearman's correlation coefficient. Reliability was studied by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Responsiveness was assessed by the effect size and the standardized response mean (SRM).ResultsThe Spearman's correlation coefficient for trunk flexion assessed by the test and the radiologic measure was excellent (r(s) = -.96). The intra- and interobserver reliability were excellent (ICC = .99). The Bland and Altman method showed no systematic trend. The values observed for the test were .97 for SRM and .87 for effect size.ConclusionsBecause the fingertip-to-floor test has excellent validity, reliability, and responsiveness, it can be used in clinical practice and therapeutic trials.Copyright 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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