Abstract
In a previous study, we established reliability of a method for determining the angle of lumbopelvic sagittal alignment during active knee extension in sitting (AKEiS) using a flexible ruler and image analysis software (2-point-Method). In addition to this method, a flexible ruler can also be used to measure lumbopelvic sagittal alignment without image analysis software. This study primarily aimed to investigate the minimum number of repetitions, inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability of two alternative methods of measurement in a secondary analysis of our previous study. A flexible ruler was used to measure lumbopelvic curvature during AKEiS when the knee reached 10° flexion from 27 individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles and subsequently analyzed. Lumbopelvic sagittal alignment was evaluated for the region between T12 and S2 using the maximum depth to the curvature (Max-Method) or depth to the curvature at the middle point between T12 and S2 vertebral levels (Mid-Method). It was determined that four repetitions for the Max-Method and 11 repetitions for the Mid-Method were required for the minimum number of repetitions, respectively. Inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and were 0.91 and 0.91 for the Max-Method and 0.90 and 0.91 for the Mid-Method, respectively. The current study suggests that the Mid-Method would not be recommended for use in the clinical setting as 11 repetitions of data sampling is required. The 2-point-Method or Max-Method may be promising but the ideal measurement method will be identified when the validity of these methods has been established.
Highlights
This study primarily aimed to investigate the minimum number of repetitions, inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability of two alternative methods of measurement in a secondary analysis of our previous study
Lumbopelvic sagittal alignment was evaluated for the region between T12 and S2 using the maximum depth to the curvature (Max-Method) or depth to the curvature at the middle point between T12 and S2 vertebral levels (Mid-Method)
Relative flexibility between the lumbar spine and the hamstring muscles has been considered an important factor in the physical evaluation of people with low back pain (LBP) [1] [2] [3]
Summary
Relative flexibility between the lumbar spine and the hamstring muscles has been considered an important factor in the physical evaluation of people with low back pain (LBP) [1] [2] [3]. We recently reported a reliable and quantitative method of measuring lumbopelvic curvature during AKEiS using a flexible ruler and Image J software by considering the minimum number of repetitions, as well as inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability [5]. In this method (2-point-Method), lumbopelvic curvature was traced from T12 to S2 spinous process using a flexible ruler, where a tangential line on the traced line of the lumbopelvic curvature at. Criterion-related validity of the 2-point-Method is assumed
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