Inclinometer Reliability for Shoulder Ranges of Motion in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the intra- and interrater reliability of active and passive range of motion in the shoulders of individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome using a digital inclinometer.

Methods: The raters evaluated active and passive range of motion in the shoulder of 50 individuals with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome in movements including flexion, abduction, extension, external rotation in a neutral position, external rotation with the arm at 90° of abduction, and internal rotation with the arm at 90° of abduction. The tests were performed by 2 examiners on the same day, with a 10-minute interval, and were repeated by 1 examiner after a 2- to 4-day interval. Reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: There was moderate to excellent interrater (ICC = 0.50-0.95) and intrarater (ICC = 0.74-0.94) reliability. In the interrater analysis, the standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 4.1° to 10°, the percentage SEM (%SEM) ranged from 2% to 17%, and the minimum detectable change ranged from 9.5° to 23.4°. In the intrarater analysis, the SEM ranged from 4° to 9.2°, %SEM ranged from 3% to 14%, and the minimum detectable change ranged from 9.3° to 21.4°.

Conclusion: The digital inclinometer showed moderate to excellent reliability for measuring active and passive range of motion in shoulders with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome.