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F. Habechian1, T. Palmans2, M. Dooms2, T. DePaermentier2, K. Desimpelaere2, A.M. Cools2
1Universidad Católica del Maule, Laboratory of Clinical Research in Kinesiology, Department of Kinesiology, Talca, Chile, 2Ghent University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent, Belgium
Background: Shoulder injuries has commonly been associated to changes on scapular kinematics, being scapular upward rotation the predominant scapular motion. The literature shows that an alteration in scapular upward rotation can be a risk factor to develop or increase shoulder impingement symptoms.
Different methods to assess scapular kinematics have already been used in the literature, including bi-dimensional and three-dimensional tools. However, these methods involve specific devices that may not be widely available to clinicians. Due to the relevant role of scapular kinematics, it should be important to find a widely-available, low-cost and accurate device to asses this in the clinical practice.
Different methods to assess scapular kinematics have already been used in the literature, including bi-dimensional and three-dimensional tools. However, these methods involve specific devices that may not be widely available to clinicians. Due to the relevant role of scapular kinematics, it should be important to find a widely-available, low-cost and accurate device to asses this in the clinical practice.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a smartphone clinometer application compared to a three-dimensional tracking device to assess scapular upward rotation position in healthy adults.
Methods: The Ethical Committee of the Ghent University approved this study, under the following approval number: B670201525365. Twenty young adults asymptomatic for shoulder pain were included in the study (11 females and 9 males; 22,8 ± 1,3 years; 173,4 ± 9,5 cm; 69,8 ± 15,4 kg). Scapular upward rotation position of the dominant side was evaluated at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90° and 120° of arm elevation using the application Clinometer (Plaincode Software Solutions, Gunzenhausen, Germany) and the Qualisys® tracking system (Qualisys® AB, Gothenburg, Sweden), with 8 cameras OQUS at 100Hz. Local coordinate systems were established using the landmarks following the International Society of Biomechanics recommended protocol.
Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check data normality. Student’s t test was used to compare the measures of the smartphone and Qualisys® in each angle. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyse the reliability of the measurements. The significance level was set at 5%.
Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check data normality. Student’s t test was used to compare the measures of the smartphone and Qualisys® in each angle. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyse the reliability of the measurements. The significance level was set at 5%.
Results: Considering the smartphone and Qualisys® for scapular upward rotation measurement, there was no significant difference between the methods in any of the angles of arm elevation (p>0.05). Furthermore, it was found an excellent reliability until 60° of arm elevation between the measurements (ICC: 0.81-0.92), whereas it becomes less reliable in higher angles (ICC: 0.09 -0.60). These results could be explained by the difficulty to maintain the smartphone attached to the bone structures above 90° of arm elevation.
Conclusion(s): The smartphone application could be considered a reliable tool to measure scapular upward position until 60° of arm elevation, which could be an easy and low-cost way to measure scapular position in clinical practice.
Implications: Measuring scapular upward rotation in clinical practice, with a low cost and accurate device, would help to generate specific treatment protocols for shoulder complex, especially when restoring scapulohumeral rhythm is needed in order to achieve arm elevation and functional activities.
Funding, acknowledgements: The first author acknowledges the scholarship provided by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP/BEPE – 2014/26412-6).
Keywords: Shoulder, Rehabilitation, Kinematics
Topic: Musculoskeletal: upper limb
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Ghent University
Committee: Ghent University Ethics Committee
Ethics number: B670201525365
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
