Intraobserver reliability of angular and linear measurements of scapular position in subjects with and without symptoms

Objective: To assess intraobserver reliability of angular and linear clinical measurements of scapular position. Design: Test-retest analyses. Setting: Outpatient department in National Health Service teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Participants: Subjects (n=45) Without symptoms (21 men, 24 women; age range, 23-56y) and 45 Subjects (22 inen 23 women; age range. 19-84y) With shoulder symptoms (defined as pain in the C5-6 dermatome reproduced by shoulder movement and not reproduced with cervical movement). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models 2,1 and 2,3, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and SE of measurements for 68% confidence and 2 SEs of measurement (for the 95% Cl) for the bilateral angular measurements of scapular rotation and tilt, and file bilateral linear measurements of lateral scapular displacement (protraction) and vertical displacement (elevation). Results: For Subjects without symptoms, ICC2.3 results ranged from.75 to .98. The 2 SE results for the angular Movements lunged from 1.8 degrees to 2.4 degrees and from 0.4 to 1.0cm for the direct linear measurements. Subjects with symptoms: ICC2.3 results ranged from.61 to .98. The 2 SE results for the angular movements ranged from 1.4 degrees to 2 degrees and from 0.6 to 1 cm for the direct linear measurements. Conclusions: Repeated-measure (ICC2.3) results were more reliable than single-measure (ICC2.3) results. Very good to excellent intraobserver reliability was demonstrated for the angular and linear measurements of interest in both Shoulders Of subjects with and Without symptoms. The 2 SE results provide guidance about the error associated with the individual measurements and will assist the clinician determining whether a chan-e in the static position of the scapula has Occurred its a result of intervention or over time.