Seated Flexion Test

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Purpose[edit | edit source]

The seated flexion test is used to detect sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction. SIJ dysfunction can be a source of pain in the lower back and buttocks.[1]

Technique[edit | edit source]

The patient is seated with the therapist positioned behind the patient.

The therapist places his thumbs on each posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the patient is asked to flex the trunk as far as possible.

The test is negative if the movement of the PSISs was symmetrical or positive if one side moved more than the other in the cephalic and/or ventral directions . [1]

A positive result indicates limited movement of the sacrum on the ilium, and therefore limited SIJ motion on the side of the superior PSIS. [2]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

There is little evidence found for the seated flexion test.

In 2021 a study by Rafael P Ribeiro et al, was conducted to study the validity and reliability of the tests and it was not possible to achieve minimum scores using the SIFT either for construct validity or reliability.[1]

Another study in 2021 by Rafael P Ribeiro et al, on the Validity and Reliability of Palpatory Clinical Tests of Sacroiliac Joint Mobility, found that the sitting flexion test obtained a good and statistically significant intraexaminer agreement (k=0.68). [2]

Another test to detect SIJ dysfunction is Standing Flexion Test.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ribeiro RP, Guerrero FG, Camargo EN, Pivotto LR, Aimi MA, Loss JF, Candotti CT. Construct validity and reliability of tests for sacroiliac dysfunction: standing flexion test (STFT) and sitting flexion test (SIFT). Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2021 Nov 1;121(11):849-56.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Ribeiro RP, Guerrero FG, Camargo EN, Beraldo LM, Candotti CT. Validity and Reliability of Palpatory Clinical Tests of Sacroiliac Joint Mobility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2021 Apr 23.