The Intertester Reliability of a Modified Scapular Assistance Test

Alon Rabin, James J. Irrgang, G. Kelley Fitzgerald, Adam Eubanks

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2006.2234

Study Design: Test-retest reliability study.
Objective: To determine interrater reliability of the modified scapular assistance test (SAT). The modified SAT is designed to assess the contribution of scapular motion to shoulder pain.
Background: Abnormal scapular motion has been implicated in different shoulder disorders. However, there is a lack of clinical evaluation tools to assess the scapular component of shoulder dysfunction.
Methods and Measures: Forty-six subjects who were referred to physical therapy for treatment of various shoulder pathologies were recruited for this study. The modified SAT was performed on each participant by 2 different examiners. Percent agreement and kappa coefficient were utilized to determine interrater reliability of the modified SAT.
Results: The kappa coefficient and percent agreement were 0.53 and 77%, respectively, when the test was performed in the scapular plane, and 0.62 and 91%, respectively, when the test was performed in the sagittal plane.
Conclusions: The modified SAT possesses acceptable interrater reliability for clinical use.

 J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(9):653-660. doi:10.2519/jospt.2006.2234

Key Words: measurement, scapula, shoulder

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