Scapular dyskinesis in trapezius myalgia and intraexaminer reproducibility of clinical tests

Physiother Theory Pract. 2011 Oct;27(7):492-502. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2010.528548. Epub 2011 May 6.

Abstract

The aims were to test the intraexaminer reproducibility and report the presence of specific clinical variables of scapular dyskinesis in cases with trapezius myalgia and healthy controls, along with general health and work ability. A total of 38 cases and 23 controls were tested for scapular dyskinesis, general health, and work ability, and 19 cases and 14 controls participated in the reproducibility study. Intraexaminer reproducibility was good to excellent for 6 of 10 clinical variables (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] 0.76-0.91; kappa 0.84-1.00), and fair to good for four variables (ICC 0.42-0.74), test for muscular weakness having the lowest ICC (0.42). Cases showed significantly larger medial border misalignment, larger lower horizontal distance of the inferior scapular angle and larger passive shoulder internal rotation, by 110% (1.02 cm), 15% (1.38 cm), and 8% (5.5°), respectively. Cases with the highest degree of scapular dyskinesis showed reduced work ability and general health. The present specific clinical variables on scapular dyskinesis showed satisfactory intraexaminer reproducibility. An increased standardization must be implemented to increase reproducibility of tests for muscular weakness, and the interexaminer reproducibility must be tested for all variables. Finally, scapular dyskinesis in cases with trapezius myalgia must be followed longitudinally for clinical importance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Denmark
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Dyskinesias / diagnosis*
  • Dyskinesias / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength Dynamometer
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Muscular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Neck Pain / diagnosis
  • Neck Pain / physiopathology
  • Observer Variation
  • Pain Measurement
  • Physical Examination* / standards
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scapula / physiopathology*
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology*
  • Shoulder Pain / diagnosis
  • Shoulder Pain / physiopathology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires