Abstract

Background: Evaluate the reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the linear scapulommeter, to allow assessment of the posterior scapular displacement.
Method: Fifty physically active subjects from both genders composed the sample. All the subjects took part in two scapular dyskinesis assessments: 1) Observational method, in which two independent evaluators categorized the scapular movement and, then, determined the presence or absence of scapular dyskinesis; 2) Scapulommeter method, which two others evaluators measured independently the posterior scapular displacement using the linear scapulommeter. This measurement was performed in two different sessions, with three days apart. Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Standard Error of Measurements (SEM) were used to assess scapulommeter reliability. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity.
Results: The scapulommeter showed excellent levels of intrarater (ICC≥ 0.89) and interrater (ICC ≥ 0.90) reliability. The results of the ROC curve showed excellent levels of sensitivity (96.15%) and specificity (95.83%) for 1.5 cm cut-off (p<0.001), being this performance higher than the pre-set cut-off (2.0 cm).
Conclusion: The scapulommeter is a valid and reliable method that shows excellent levels of reliability, sensitivity and specificity, and can be used to assess posterior scapular displacement.