Diagnostic reliability of osteopathic tests: A systematic review

The quality of the reviewed studies was good, while the levels of diagnostic reliability were heterogeneous. Intra-examiner reliability was higher than inter-examiner reliability. There were no significant differences in respect to evaluated osteopathic clinical diagnostic tests and body sites, either in degrees of palpatory pressure, nor in examiners' experience. However, proper study designs, consensus training and standardizing procedures, such as the developing of models, could be effective in improving the reliability of palpatory tests.