Intra-Tester and Inter-Tester Reliability of Measures of Pelvic Inclinometer in Standing Using Hand Held and Mounted Pelvic Inclinometer in Asymptomatic Individuals

Background: Determination of innominate bone inclination in standing is frequently assessed in postural analysis of subjects. Currently, no goniometer for objective assessment of innominate bone inclination in standing is commercially available. PELVIN ^{® TM}, patented and registered equipment, was designed indigenously by the author. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra tester and inter-tester reliability and validity of measures taken with a pelvic inclinometer when used hand held and when mounted on stand.

Aim: To assess inter tester and intra tester reliability measures of pelvic inclinometer in standing using hand held and mounted pelvic inclinometer in asymptomatic individuals.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 105 asymptomatic subjects was conducted. The sample was age and gender matched homogeneous group, divided in three groups age wise, Group I: 20-35 years, Group II- 36 -50 years and Group III- 51-60 years. All the subjects were recruited at their will and they signed a consent form after understanding the process through a written information sheet provided to them prior to the conducting the study. The Ethics Committee of D.Y.Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai granted us the permission to conduct this study.

Results: The mean values of 11.79 degrees and 9.03 degrees were obtained as right and left pelvic tilt angles respectively. As the data sheet indicates the ICC values and the Cronbach’s alpha value demonstrates significant relationship between two sets of data. The reliability test which was done by using SPSS version 16 showed congruity between two sets of inclinometer data. Therefore demonstrating good Intertester reliability, Intratester reliability also shows similar results with good reliability.

When pelvic inclination angles measured by mounted and hand held inclinometer yielded ICC value of 0.8 to 0.9 and Cronbach’s alpha value of .941 and 0.88 of the right and left innominates respectively throughout, thus demonstrating strong Intertester reliability between the two methods of measurement recorded by both the investigators.

Intratester reliability also demonstrated strong congruity with an ICC value ranging from 0.921-0.88 for the right and left innominates respectively, thereby demonstrating a strong Intratester reliability too. Anova test was used to compare the differences between the measures of pelvic tilt angle measured by the two investigators. A non-significant difference was obtained at p<0.05 which are suggestive or less variability and validates the equipment for clinical use.

Conclusion: There is no difference in the pelvic inclination angles, when measured either by a mounted or a hand held validated  pelvic inclinometer as a strong inter and intra reliability is demonstrated in two sets of data.

Background: Determination of innominate bone inclination in standing is frequently assessed in postural analysis of subjects. Currently, no goniometer for objective assessment of innominate bone inclination in standing is commercially available. PELVIN ^{® TM}, patented and registered equipment, was designed indigenously by the author. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra tester and inter-tester reliability and validity of measures taken with a pelvic inclinometer when used hand held and when mounted on stand.

Aim: To assess inter tester and intra tester reliability measures of pelvic inclinometer in standing using hand held and mounted pelvic inclinometer in asymptomatic individuals.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 105 asymptomatic subjects was conducted. The sample was age and gender matched homogeneous group, divided in three groups age wise, Group I: 20-35 years, Group II- 36 -50 years and Group III- 51-60 years. All the subjects were recruited at their will and they signed a consent form after understanding the process through a written information sheet provided to them prior to the conducting the study. The Ethics Committee of D.Y.Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai granted us the permission to conduct this study.

Results: The mean values of 11.79 degrees and 9.03 degrees were obtained as right and left pelvic tilt angles respectively. As the data sheet indicates the ICC values and the Cronbach’s alpha value demonstrates significant relationship between two sets of data. The reliability test which was done by using SPSS version 16 showed congruity between two sets of inclinometer data. Therefore demonstrating good Intertester reliability, Intratester reliability also shows similar results with good reliability.

When pelvic inclination angles measured by mounted and hand held inclinometer yielded ICC value of 0.8 to 0.9 and Cronbach’s alpha value of .941 and 0.88 of the right and left innominates respectively throughout, thus demonstrating strong Intertester reliability between the two methods of measurement recorded by both the investigators.

Intratester reliability also demonstrated strong congruity with an ICC value ranging from 0.921-0.88 for the right and left innominates respectively, thereby demonstrating a strong Intratester reliability too. Anova test was used to compare the differences between the measures of pelvic tilt angle measured by the two investigators. A non-significant difference was obtained at p<0.05 which are suggestive or less variability and validates the equipment for clinical use.

Conclusion: There is no difference in the pelvic inclination angles, when measured either by a mounted or a hand held validated  pelvic inclinometer as a strong inter and intra reliability is demonstrated in two sets of data.