Reliability of Spinal Range of Motion in Healthy Boys Using a Skin-Surface Device

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the interrater and intrarater reliability of spinal extension and flexion measurements using a skin-surface (Spinal Mouse; Idiag, Voletswil, Switzerland) instrument. Methods Spinal curvature was measured during standing, full flexion, and full extension in 81 healthy children (10.6 ± 1.7 years) by 3 raters on 2 separate occasions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard errors of measurement were used to examine between-day and interrater reliability for thoracic, lumbar, and hip range of motion. Results The intrarater ICCs ranged from 0.61 to 0.96, and the interrater ICCs ranged from 0.70 to 0.93. The standard error of measurement ranged from 0.61° to 13.18°. Conclusion Evaluation of spinal range of motion measures in children using the Spinal Mouse demonstrates fair to high reliability.