Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia | [b] Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia | [c] Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dusica Djordjevic, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34 000 Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. Tel.: +381 69 877 66 69; Fax: +381 34 30 68 00/ext 112; E-mail:dusicadjordjevickg@gmail.com
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Although intensively investigated, the procedures for
assessment and monitoring of scoliosis are still a subject of controversies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess validity and
reliability of a number of physiotherapeutic measurements that could be used
for clinical monitoring of scoliosis. METHODS: Fifteen healthy (symmetric) subjects were subjected to a set of
measurements two times, by two experienced and two inexperienced
physiotherapists. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of
measurements were determined. Following measurements were performed: body
height and weight, chest girth in inspirium and expirium, the length of
legs, the spine translation, the lateral pelvic tilt, the equality of the
shoulders, position of scapulas, the equality of stature triangles, the rib
hump, the existence of m. iliopsoas contracture, Fröhner index, the size
of lumbar lordosis and the angle of trunk rotation. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient was high (> 0.8) for
majority of measurements when experienced physiotherapists performed them,
while inexperienced physiotherapists performed precisely only basic, easy
measurements. CONCLUSIONS: We showed in this pilot study on healthy subjects,
that majority of basic physiotherapeutic measurements are valid and reliable
when performed by specialized physiotherapist, and it can be expected that
this protocol will gain high value when measurements on subjects with
scoliosis are performed.
