Live and video observations of scapular dyskinesis in individuals with nonspecific neck pain: A reliability study

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice 2023-06, Vol.39 (6), p.1317-1323
• Main Authors: Wannaprom, Nipaporn, Konghakote, Supatcha, Chaikla, Rungtawan, Uthaikhup, Sureeporn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agreements; Classification; Dyskinesias; Examiners; Humans; Neck pain; Neck Pain - diagnosis; Observer Variation; Reliability; Reproducibility of Results; Scapula; Tests; Values
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2039335

Scapular dyskinesis (SD) has been demonstrated in neck pain patients, however reliability of SD test in this population is still lacking. To investigate inter-rater and intra-rater (live versus video) reliability of SD by observation in neck pain patients. Sixty-nine participants with nonspecific neck pain (31.7 ± 14.3 years) were recruited. SD was tested on the ipsilateral side of neck pain during unilateral and bilateral arm elevation. Two examiners categorized SD using two classification systems: simple (yes/no) and specific type (winging, dysrhythmia, mixed abnormality or normal). Video recordings were reviewed by one examiner. For inter-rater reliability, agreement and kappa (κ) values for unilateral test were 94.20%, 0.82 by simple classification and 72.46%, 0.59 by specific type. Agreement and κ values for bilateral test were 91.30%, 0.68 by simple classification and 65.22%, 0.52 by specific type. For intra-rater reliability, agreement and κ values for unilateral test were 92.75%, 0.77 by simple classification and 71.01%, 0.57 by specific type. Agreement and κ values for bilateral test were 91.30%, 0.65 by simple classification and 65.22%, 0.52 by specific type. Observation assessment demonstrated good-to-very good inter-rater and moderate-to-good intra-rater (live versus video) reliability for assessing SD in neck pain patients.