SynthesisEuropean journal of pediatrics2019
Measurement properties of instruments for assessment of cervical spine function in infants with torticollis: a systematic review.
Synthesis in European journal of pediatrics, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Clinical rating scales for assessing pain in newborn infants.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy of non-surgical, non-pharmacological treatments for congenital muscular torticollis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Pooled it
- Reliability of Muscle Strength and Muscle Power Assessments Using Isokinetic Dynamometry in Neuromuscular Diseases: A Systematic Review.Physical therapy · 2022Pooled it
- Drooling outcome measures in paediatric disability: a systematic review.European journal of pediatrics · 2022Pooled it
- Effectiveness of pediatric integrative manual therapy in cervical movement limitation in infants with positional plagiocephaly: a randomized controlled trial.Italian journal of pediatrics · 2021Trial
- A reliable measurement is not the same as a reliable diagnosis: reply to Peter et al.Pediatric radiology · 2026Article
- Isolated pterygium colli in a child: case report and literature review of surgical techniques.International journal of surgery case reports · 2026Article
- Assessing Congenital Muscular Torticollis Using Myotonometry: A Novel Approach.Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions · 2025Article
- Bilateral congenital muscular torticollis in infants, report of two cases.F1000Research · 2024Article
- Measurement of range-of-motion in infants with indications of upper cervical dysfunction using the Flexion-Rotation-Test and Lateral-Flexion-Test: a blinded inter-rater reliability study in a clinical practice setting.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy · 2021Observational
- Congenital muscular torticollis: the reliability of visual estimation in the assessment of cervical spine active rotation and head tilt by physiotherapists and the impact of clinical experience.European journal of pediatrics · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The aim of this study was to systematically review the measurement properties of instruments which assess cervical spine function in infants with torticollis. Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library, combining three constructs ('torticollis', 'cervical spine assessment' and 'measurement properties'). Two reviewers independently rated the methodological quality and the quality of measurement properties of identified articles, using both the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments) checklist and quality criteria for measurement properties. Five studies, using six instruments, met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Included instruments were the goniometer, electronic pendular goniometer, protractor, still photography, Muscle Function Scale and a range of motion limitation scale. All studies assessed reliability, and one study also assessed content validity and hypothesis testing. The methodological quality of the studies varied from poor to excellent according to the COSMIN checklist. Two instruments were found to have good measurement properties from high-quality studies: still photography for the assessment of habitual head tilt in supine and the Muscle Function Scale for the assessment of side-flexor muscle function in lateral head righting.Conclusion: This systematic review identified two reliable tools for the assessment of cervical spine function in infants with torticollis. Further research is required to assess the measurement properties of tools already described in the literature and to develop further tools for use in this population. What is known? • A thorough assessment of the infant presenting with torticollis is essential, in order to correctly diagnose, rule out 'red flags' and manage appropriately • Assessment tools need to have robust measurement properties in order to be of value for clinical practice and research What is new? • This systematic review identified two valid and reliable tools for the assessment of cervical spine function in infants with torticollis • Further research is required to assess the measurement properties of tools already described in the literature and to develop further tools for use in infants with torticollis.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.