The Functional Movement Screen: Exploring Interrater Reliability between Raters in the Updated Version

BackgroundThe Functional Movement ScreenTM (FMSTM) was updated by adding the ankle clearing test and modifying the rotary stability movement pattern and scoring criteria. This updated FMSTM may be used to support clinical decisions for the well-being of athletes and active adults.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if the updated FMSTM has acceptable interrater reliability, so that various practitioners can utilize it with their patients.Study Design Observational LaboratoryStudy MethodsTwo licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) conducted the testing for the study. No warmup was allowed for the participants. Each participant underwent one FMSTM session while being recorded on video lasting approximately 15 minutes. Participants were allowed three attempts to complete each movement pattern with the best score recorded. The participants, 45 healthy active PT students, were taken through the FMSTM by a licensed PT and videotaped. The raters were four second-year PT students that observed and scored the FMS independently after videotaping was completed. SPSS was used for the interrater reliability analysis. ICC was calculated using a 2-way mixed model looking for absolute agreement.ResultsThe interrater reliability was highest for the rotary stability test (ICC 0.96) while the deep squat was the least reliable (ICC 0.78). The total scores showed excellent reliability among the four student raters with an ICC of 0.95. The updated FMSTM produced good to excellent interrater reliability.ConclusionThe updated FMSTM has acceptable interrater reliability between minimally, but adequately trained individuals. The updated FMSTM may be reliably used to assess risk for future injury.