Reliability of image analysis for scapular alignment by scapular position estimator program

Article Sidebar

pdf
Published: Apr 25, 2023
Keywords:
scapular alignment intra-rater reliability inter-rater reliability intraclass correlation coefficient

Main Article Content

Settapong Nongharnpitak
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University
Patthrapon Pianchana
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University
Isama-el Salaeh
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University
Worawan Kamruecha
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University
Yodchai Boonprakob
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, there are numerous tools for scapular alignment evaluation, though previous methods present some limitations. The scapular position estimator program was developed for scapular alignment assessments in several planes. However, the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of this tool are yet to be investigated. Thus, both tests of intra-rater and inter-rater reliability are in need of studying.


Objective:to test the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the scapular position estimator program.


Methods: Thirty-three healthy participants were recruited in this study. Two raters with different clinical experience evaluated scapular alignment in 5 outcomes including lower horizontal distance, upper horizontal distance, upward rotation angle, superior translation angle, and external rotation angle.  The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3, 2) for intra-rater reliability were calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2, 2) for inter-rater reliability were also calculated.


Results: The intra-rater reliability according to the experienced rater showed a high level (ICC3, 2 = 0.77 - 0.98), whereas intra-rater reliability according to the 4th-year-undergraduate student demonstrated a moderate to high level (ICC3, 2 = 0.68 - 0.97). The inter-rater reliability of this study represented a moderate to high level (ICC2, 2 = 0.60 - 0.92).


Conclusion: The present findings show high intra-rater reliability for the scapular position estimator program in accordance with the experienced rater, while the results show moderate to high inter-rater reliability. Hence, the assessor should be trained by an expert clinician before using this tool. In addition, further studies ought to investigate reliability in patients with scapular malalignment for several conditions.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Nongharnpitak S, Pianchana P, Salaeh I- el, Kamruecha W, Boonprakob Y. Reliability of image analysis for scapular alignment by scapular position estimator program. Thai J Phys Ther [internet]. 2023 Apr. 25 [cited 2026 Jan. 7];45(1):42-65. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjpt/article/view/257745
Issue
Vol. 45 No. 1 (2023): January-April 2023
Section
Research Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

Matsui K, Tachibana T, Nobuhara K, Uchiyama Y. Translational movement within the glenohumeral joint at different rotation velocities as seen by cine MRI. J Exp Orthop 2018; 5: 7. doi: 10.1186/s40634-018-0124-x.

McQuade KJ, Borstad J, de Oliveira AS. Critical and Theoretical Perspective on Scapular Stabilization: What Does It Really Mean, and Are We on the Right Track? Phys Ther 2016; 96(8): 1162-9. doi: 10.2522/ptj. 20140230.

McClure PW, Michener LA, Sennett BJ, KardunaDirect AR. 3-dimensional measurement of scapular kinematics during dynamic movements in vivo. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001; 10(3): 269-77. doi: 10.1067/mse. 2001.112954.

Panagiotopoulos AC, Crowther IM. Scapular dyskinesia, the forgotten culprit of shoulder pain and how to rehabilitate. SICOT J 2019; 5: 29. doi: 10.1051/sicotj/2019029.

Ludewig PM, Reynolds JF. The association of scapular kinematics and glenohumeral joint pathologies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009; 39(2): 90-104. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.2808.

Struyf F, Nijs J, Baeyens JP, Mottram S, Meeusen R. Scapular positioning and movement in unimpaired shoulders, shoulder impingement syndrome, and glenohumeral instability. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2011; 21(3): 352-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838. 2010.01274.x.

Burn MB, McCulloch PC, Lintner DM, Liberman SR, Harris JD. Prevalence of Scapular Dyskinesis in Overhead and Nonoverhead Athletes: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med 2016; 17; 4(2): 2325967115627608. doi: 10.1177/2325967115627608.

Larsen CM, Søgaard K, Eshoj H, Ingwersen K, Juul-Kristensen B. Clinical assessment methods for scapular position and function. An inter-rater reliability study. Physiother Theory Pract 2020; 36(12): 1399-420. doi: 10.1080/ 09593985.2019.1579284.

Park JY, Hwang JT, Kim KM, Makkar D, Moon SG, Han KJ. How to assess scapular dyskinesis precisely: 3-dimensional wing computer tomography--a new diagnostic modality. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2013; 22(8): 1084-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2012.10.046.

Jildeh TR, Ference DA, Abbas MJ, Jiang EX, Okoroha KR. Scapulothoracic Dyskinesis: A Concept Review. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2021; 14(3): 246-54. doi: 10.1007/s12178-021-09705-8.

Walter SD, Eliasziw M, Donner A. Sample size and optimal designs for reliability studies. Stat Med 1998; 17(1): 101-10. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0258(19980115)17:1<101::aid-sim727>3.0.co;2-e.

Sanchez HM, Sanchez EG, Tavares LI. Association between scapular dyskinesia and shoulder pain in young adults. Acta Ortop Bras 2016; 24(5): 243-8. doi: 10.1590/1413-785220162405142225.

Portney LG, Watkins MP. Foundations of clinical research applications to practice. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc; 2000; 560-7.

Hopkins WG. Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med 2000; 30: 1-15.doi:10.2165/00007256-200030010-00001.

Kawsoiy K, Uthaikhup S. Intra-and inter-rater reliability of ultrasound imaging of the lower trapezius muscle thickness. J Med Tech Phy Ther 2014; 26: 180-8.

Liaw LJ, Hsieh CL, Lo SK, Chen HM, Lee S, Lin JH. The relative and absolute reliability of two balance performance measures in chron- ic stroke patients. Disabil Rehabil 2008; 30(9): 656-61. doi: 10.1080/09638280701400698.

Juul-Kristensen B, Hilt K, Enoch F, Remvig L, Sjøgaard G. Scapular dyskinesis in trapezius myalgia and intraexaminer reproducibility of clinical tests. Physiother Theory Pract 2011; 27(7): 492-502. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2010.528548.

Lewis JS, Valentine RE. Intraobserver reliability of angu- lar and linear measurements of scapular position in subjects with and without symptoms. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008; 89(9): 1795-802. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.01.028.

Kibler WB. The role of the scapula in athletic shoulder function. Am J Sports Med 1998; 26(2): 325-37. doi: 10.1177/ 03635465980260022801.

De Groef A, Van Kampen M, Vervloesem N, Clabau E, Christiaens M, Neven P, et al. Inter-rater reliability of shoulder measurements in middle-aged women. Physiotherapy 2017. 103: 222-30. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2016.07.002.

Watson L, Balster S, Finch C, Dalziel. Measurement of scapula upward rotation: A reliable clinical procedure. Br J Sports Med 2005; 39(9): 599-603. doi: 10.1136/ bjsm.2004.013243.

Michener LA, Elmore KA, Darter BJ, Timmons MK. Biomechanical measures in participants with shoulder pain: Intra-rater reliability. Man Ther 2016; 22: 86-93. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.10.011.