Assessment of intrasubject reliability of radiographic craniocervical posture of asymptomatic female subjects

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013 Jan;36(1):27-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.12.009.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the reproducibility of the craniocervical posture (intrasubject reliability) of asymptomatic female subjects.

Methods: Two radiographs of the craniocervical posture of 22 female subjects (mean ± SD: age, 28 ± 4.37 years; body mass index, 22.3 ± 3.24 kg/m(2)) in the sagittal view were taken 1 week apart and at the same time of day. Their posture was standardized in the self-balance position. Seven angles were measured in the digitalized radiographs and analyzed using the Alcimage software (Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), SEM, and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed.

Results: Good-to-excellent ICC (ICC, 0.90-0.98) and small SEM (SEM, 0.25-0.70) were found.

Conclusion: The craniocervical posture of the subjects included in this study was reproducible (ie, intrasubject reliability) when measured a week apart using radiographs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Odontoid Process / diagnostic imaging
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Radiography
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging*