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

Abstract

Background: Scapular dyskinesis (SD) has been demonstrated in neck pain patients, however reliability of SD test in this population is still lacking. Objective: To investigate inter-rater and intra-rater (live versus video) reliability of SD by observation in neck pain patients. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.