The reliability of three-dimensional scapular attitudes in healthy people and people with shoulder impingement syndrome
2007

Reliability of 3D Scapular Measurements in Healthy and Impingement Patients

Sample size: 23 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roy Jean-Sébastien, Moffet Hélène, Hébert Luc J, St-Vincent Guy, McFadyen Bradford J

Primary Institution: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the intra and intersession reliability of 3-dimensional scapular attitudes in healthy individuals and those with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Conclusion

The method for estimating three-dimensional scapular attitudes is reliable across different arm positions in both healthy individuals and those with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Supporting Evidence

  • The reliability of scapular attitudes was very good during the same session with ICCs from 0.84 to 0.99.
  • Intersession reliability was good to very good with ICCs from 0.62 to 0.97.
  • The method of calculation relative to the trunk showed higher reliability compared to the method relative to the scapula at rest.

Takeaway

This study checks how consistently we can measure shoulder movements in healthy people and those with shoulder problems, and it finds that the measurements are reliable.

Methodology

The study used a test-retest design with measurements taken on healthy subjects and subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome using the Optotrak Probing System.

Potential Biases

The evaluator was not blinded to group status, which could introduce bias.

Limitations

The study's findings may not be generalizable to other shoulder positions and were limited by the small sample size of subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Participant Demographics

Fifteen healthy subjects (mean age 37.3 years) and eight subjects with shoulder impingement syndrome (mean age 46.1 years) participated.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95%CI ranges from 0.34 to 0.99 for ICCs

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2474-8-49

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