Execution:
- Patient is in upright sitting position with the elbow flexed to 80°-90°
- The examiner stands behind the patient and grasps the patient’s elbows, while maintaining the forearms, wrists, and hands in neutral
- The examiner leans the patient’s trunk posteriorly (approx. 15° from vertical) and elevates the patient’s shoulder girdle close to end-range
- This position is held for up to 3 minutes
Positive Outcome: Reproduction of patient’s familiar symptoms or eliciting a release phenomenon
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR- |
| Brismée et al. (2004) 1 minute hold |
NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Brismée et al. (2004) 3 minute hold |
NA | NA | 87.8 | NA | NA |
| Comment: This test is based on the theory of the release phenomenon, which occurs following decompression of one or more nerve trunks/chords. Release of the low-level local compression/tension allows for a restoration of neural blood flow and normalisation of function, which can cause a spontaneous firing of the large myelinated sensory fibres. It has been suggested that paresthesia is the most common symptom reported with the release phenomenon, followed by numbness, then pain | |||||
