title: Intra and interrater reliability of spinal sagittal curves and mobility using pocket goniometer IncliMed® in healthy subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiographic examination is the gold standard to evaluate spine curves, but ionising radiations limit routine use. Non-invasive methods, such as skin-surface goniometer (IncliMed®) should be used instead.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate intra- and interrater reliability to assess sagittal curves and mobility of the spine with IncliMed®.
  
  
  METHODS
  a reliability study on agonistic football players. Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and mobility of the spine were assessed by IncliMed®. Measurements were repeated twice by each examiner during the same session with between-rater blinding. Intrarater and interrater reliability were measured by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), 95% Confidence Interval (CI 95%) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four healthy female football players (19.17 ± 4.52 years) were enrolled. Statistical results showed high intrarater (0.805-0.923) and interrater (0.701-0.886) reliability (ICC > 0.8). The obtained intra- and interrater SEM were low, with overall absolute intrarater values between 1.39° and 2.76° and overall interrater values between 1.71° and 4.25°.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IncliMed® provides high intra- and interrater reliability in healthy subjects, with limited Standard Error of Measurement. These results encourage its use in clinical practice and scientific research.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alderighi
authors.forename: Raffaello
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maghini
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Felice
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masiero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation*; D056352:Athletes; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000175:diagnosis; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient; Spine mobility; Standard Error of Measurement; non-invasive spinal sagittal curves measure; reliability