Abstract

This study aimed to assess the interrater reliability of a developed spinal-mouse (SM) instrument for measuring the sagittal and frontal planes, as well as the overall range of motion (ROM) of the spine in patients with degenerative scoliosis (DS) and kyphosis. Measurements were conducted on two groups: subjects with DS, characterized by a spinal deformity exceeding 20° (n = 10), and subjects with kyphosis, defined by a thoracic kyphosis angle of less than 55° (n = 10). The developed SM was used to evaluate the curvature and mobility of the thoracic and lumbar regions in the sagittal and frontal planes during flexion/extension and left/right lateral flexion, respectively. Two examiners performed the measurements on the same day. Interrater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the results were compared to radiological measurements conducted independently by two orthopedists. For patients with kyphosis and DS, interrater ICCs ranged from 0.783 to 0.985 and from 0.791 to 0.933, respectively, with higher reliability observed in the sagittal plane than in the frontal. The SM measurements and Cobb angle values were consistent between raters 1 and 2, demonstrating excellent interrater agreement, with ICCs ranging from 0.860 to 0.924 for kyphosis and 0.833 to 0.889 for DS. Compared to interrater discrepancies in Cobb angle assessments, interobserver variability using the developed SM was notably lower. The findings suggest that the developed SM is a reliable, effective, and user-friendly tool for clinical studies and patient follow-up in spinal disorders.

Keywords

Interrater reliability, Spinal-mouse instrument, Degenerative scoliosis, Kyphosis, Spinal range of motion (ROM), Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

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