Execution
- 1Have the patient lie supine in crook lying.
- 2Have the patient perform a maximal chin tuck and maintain it.
- 3Have the patient lift the head and upper neck about 2 to 5 cm from the table while keeping the chin tucked.
- 4Place a hand just under the occiput without supporting the head.
- 5Time the hold and stop when the chin tuck is lost, skin folds separate, the head touches the examiner's hand, or symptoms prevent continuation.
Positive outcome
Reduced endurance or early loss of chin tuck indicates impaired deep neck flexor endurance. The result should be compared with normative expectations and the patient's pain response.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris et al. (2005) | ICC 0.67 with neck pain; ICC 0.82 without neck pain | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThis is an impairment and endurance test rather than a diagnostic test for a specific pathology. Pain, fear, and substitution strategies can reduce time independently of true deep flexor capacity.
Low Clinical Value