The inter- and intra-examiner reliability of measuring posterior superior iliac spine levels in functional and anatomical postures
Item
- Title
- The inter- and intra-examiner reliability of measuring posterior superior iliac spine levels in functional and anatomical postures
- Author(s)
- Smith Deborah
- Abstract
- Background Posterior superior iliac spine levels are assessed for pelvic dysfunction on most patients in osteopathic practice. Previous studies have generally found poor inter-examiner reliability of palpation. Studies of posterior superior iliac spine palpation have used various subject postural positions. Objective This study compared the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of palpation and PALM for measurements of posterior superior iliac spine levels in functional and anatomical posture. PALM is a measuring instrument comprising callipers and inclinometer. Method Fifteen final year osteopathic students took measurements of posterior superior iliac spine level discrepancies using palpation and PALM, in functional and anatomical postures,on nine female subjects. The subjects were aligned in their postures using a foot-template and plumb line. Palpation and PALM results were compared to control data, determined using a pedestal mounted Measuring Device. Statistical Analysis Inter-examiner agreement of palpation was analysed using Kappa statistic. Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to assess inter-examiner reliability of PALM. Intra-examiner reliability of palpation and PALM was assessed using percentage agreement calculations. Results · Inter- and intra-examiner reliability were greater in anatomical posture than functional posture using both palpation and PALM. · Intra-examiner reliability was greater then inter-examiner reliability in both postures using both palpation and PALM. · Intra- and inter-examiner reliability were both greater for palpation than for PALM. Discussion Although inter-examiner reliability is low, palpation is the preferred method for identifying a discrepancy in posterior superior iliac spine heights. PALM has poor reliability for measuring the magnitude of a PSIS discrepancy but has a reliability comparable to palpation for identifying the direction of discrepancy. Postural position alters PSIS height but there is no correlation in the effect of posture on each subject. PALM was not popular with new examiners and they lacked confidence in its performance. Further studies are required to identify means of significantly improving levels of agreement.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 2002
- Date Submitted
- 1.11.2003 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Number of pages
- 106
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13027
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Keywords
- Pelvis,Palpation,Palpation meter,Spine,Sacroiliac Joint
- Recommended
- 1
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith Deborah, “The inter- and intra-examiner reliability of measuring posterior superior iliac spine levels in functional and anatomical postures”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1311