Intra/Interrater Reliability of Measurements On Body Posture Photographs

ABSTRACT

Intra/interrater's reliability of the coordinates of ten anatomical landmarks on a frontal and a dorsal body posture photograph of 18 subjects was tested. The measurements were conducted by two testers with an interval of seven days between each session. The repeated measurements of each examiner (intrarater) and the first and second measurement of both examiners (interrater) were assessed for reliability. Statistical testing was performed to confirm the data to fit a normal distribution according to Shapiro-Wilks (α = 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficients and Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficients were used to assess reliability at the alpha level of 0.05. Pearson's correlation coefficients were between 0.72 and 1.0, Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between 0.66 and 1.0. In further analysis of the results, repeated-measures paired T-tests were used to test for differences between repeated measures. After adjustment of the alpha level for the total number of comparisons, 10 of the paired T-tests were significant (2 intra; 8 inter). The results indicate that the measuring method provides reliable data and that two different test modes produce consistent measurements.

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Notes on contributors

A.J.J. Zonnenberg

Dr. Aád J J. Zonnenberg received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Groningen, School of Dentistry, in 1975. He has been in private practice since that time. Early in his career he focused attention on prosthodontics and gnathology. Dr. Zonnenberg is a member of the International Academy of Gnathology, European Section, and the American Equilibration Society, and has participated in several private research projects in the Netherlands.

C.J. Van Maanen

Cees J. Van Maanen, P.T., M.T. received his P.T. certificate from the Jan van Essen Academy for Physical Therapy in Amsterdam in 1976. He started his career at the Muiderpoort Rehabilitation Center in Amsterdam. In 1988, he completed his M.T. degree at the Stichting Manuele Geneeskunde in Eindhoven. Since 1978, Mr. Van Maanen has been in private practice in Zaandam, the Netherlands.

J.W.H. Elvers

Dr. J.W. Hans Elvers received his degree in mathematics in 1986 and his M.D. degree in 1992 from the Catholic University in Nijmegen. He is currently working at the National Institute for Research and Postgraduate Education in Physical Therapy in Amersfoort. and at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Department of Occupational and Social Medicine of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

R.A.B. Oostendorp

Dr. Rob A.B. Oostendorp received his physical therapy certificate from the Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen in 1965. In 1976 he concluded his degree in M.T. at the Stichting Manuele Geneeskunde in Eindhoven. In 1983 he received his M.Sc. at the Free University in Bruxelles, Belgium. In 1988 he received his Ph.D. degree from the Catholic University in Nijmegen on the thesis “Vertebrobasillair” Insufficientie Syndroom” In 1988 he became Research Director of the National Institute for Research and Postgraduate Education in Physical Therapy, currently part of the “Nederlands Paramedisch Instituut” in Amersfoort. Dr. Oostendorp is currently a professor in Biomedical Sciences/Manual Therapy at the Free University of Bruxelles.