Reliability of measuring iliac crest level in the standing and sitting position using a new measurement device.
BACKGROUND
To date, the reliability studies of iliac crest (IC) level used nominal scales and presented conflicting results. To perform the IC level measurement, we propose the use of a measurement device that is composed of an inclinometer mounted on a crest level tester that measures IC level in degrees.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the interrater reliability of measuring iliac crest level in the standing and sitting position using an experimental device and to assess the precision of the measurements taken with the experimental device.


METHODS
Forty individuals (mean age 40 +/- 12 years) referred to physical therapy for treatment of low back pain (LBP) participated in the study (16 male participants). Six examiners performed the measurements. Three of the 6 examiners performed the measurements on each individual. Each examiner independently performed the measurement of IC level in standing and in sitting using the measurement device.


RESULTS
Intraclass correlation coefficients, [formula (1,1)] for measurement of IC level in standing and sitting, were 0.80 (95% CI = 0.7-0.9) and 0.73 (95% CI = 0.6-0.8), respectively. Standard errors of measurement for IC level in standing and sitting were 0.91 and 0.86 degrees, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a measurement device resulted in good reliability of IC level measurement in degrees in standing and moderate reliability of IC level in sitting position. This finding is relevant to plan future studies that will investigate if changes in IC level may be associated with outcomes of pain and function in patients with low back or pelvic dysfunctions.
Piva
Sara R
SR
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Room 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Erhard
Richard E
RE
Childs
John D
JD
Hicks
Gregory
G
Al-Abdulmohsin
Hamza
H
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000473:pathology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity