Scapula position test reliability and comparisons of scapula position and shoulder function among individuals with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

BACKGROUND: An evaluation of scapula position is important to predict spine curvature and shoulder function in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Therefore, a reliable scapula position is required to assess posture in patients with AIS. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the reliabilities of scapula position tests and differences in scapula position and shoulder function between individuals with and without AIS. METHODS: The study compared 18 patients with AIS and 18 healthy controls to identify differences in scapula position and shoulder function. The acromion-table distance, lateral displacement of the scapula, acromion depression, winged scapula, upward rotation of the scapula, and anterior tilt of the scapula were measured. Scapula position test reliabilities were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Shoulder function was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. RESULTS: The reliabilities of scapula position tests (ICC 0.85–0.93, SEM 0.1–1.2, and MCID 0.2–2.5) were good. There were significant differences in scapula position and shoulder function between patients with AIS and healthy controls (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scapula position tests were highly reliable in patients with AIS; they can be used to evaluate scapula position during clinical assessment of posture in patients with AIS.