Measurement Properties of Clinical Tests for Assessing Individuals With Hip-Related Pain: A Systematic Review Based on the Consensus-Based Standards for Selection of Health Measurement Instrument Guidelines
Authors:
Gomes, D. A., Serighelli, F., Scholes, M., Heerey, J., Mosler, A., Matt, A. R., Jones, D., and Kemp, J.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the measurement properties of clinical tests reportedly used in the assessment of patients with hip-related pain.
DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, SportDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus. Searches covered all records available up to July 31, 2024, and were updated on July 1, 2025.
STUDY SELECTION: Studies assessing at least one measurement property (eg, reliability, measurement error, responsiveness, convergent validity, or discriminative validity) of functional, strength, or range of motion (ROM) tests in individuals diagnosed with hip-related pain were included.
DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from the included studies using a custom data extraction form. The Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments risk of bias checklist was used to assess the risk of bias, and certainty of evidence was assessed by the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Data extraction, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence assessment were performed independently by two authors.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen studies exploring the measurement properties of 39 clinical measures used in the assessment of 637 individuals with hip-related pain were included. Single-leg squat and step-down tests demonstrated sufficient reliability and discriminative validity. Muscle strength assessments using handheld dynamometry and isokinetic dynamometry had sufficient reliability and convergent validity, respectively. The active hip flexion ROM test demonstrated sufficient convergent and discriminative validity.
CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating movement quality during single-leg squat and step-down tasks, handheld dynamometry and isokinetic hip muscle strength, and active hip flexion ROM is recommended in people with hip-related pain, with findings mostly reliable and demonstrating sufficient convergent and discriminative validity. More studies are needed to make stronger recommendations on which clinical tests should be used for the assessment of individuals with hip-related pain.