Execution
- 1Ask the standing or sitting patient to reach one hand over the head and behind the neck, combining shoulder abduction, flexion, and external rotation.
- 2Ask the opposite hand to reach behind the back, combining shoulder adduction, extension, and internal rotation.
- 3Repeat the movement on the opposite side or asks both arms to perform the neck-reach and back-reach pattern together for comparison.
- 4Note the vertebral level or functional reach achieved, pain location, scapular winging, and side-to-side asymmetry.
- 5Separate the component movements later if the combined test is painful or restricted.
Positive outcome
Restriction, pain, marked side-to-side difference, or compensatory scapular winging during the neck-reach or back-reach component is abnormal. Back-reach limitation often reflects reduced internal rotation / adduction / extension but is not isolated to the glenohumeral joint.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| van den Dolder et al. (2014) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentMagee frames Apley’s scratch test as a quick combined-movement functional screen, not a structure-specific diagnostic test. The test saves time but can hide which component movement is limited, so painful or restricted findings should be broken down into individual ROM tests. Dominant-side restriction can be normal in some people, while overhead athletes may show the opposite pattern.