Article

The aims were to compile a schematic overview of clinical scapular assessment
methods and critically appraise the methodological quality of the involved studies. A systematic, computer-assisted literature search using Medline, CINAHL,
SportDiscus and EMBASE was performed from inception to October 2013. Reference
lists in articles were also screened for publications. From 50 articles, 54
method names were identified and categorized into three groups: (1) Static
positioning assessment (n = 19); (2) Semi-dynamic (n = 13); and (3) Dynamic
functional assessment (n = 22). Fifteen studies were excluded for evaluation due
to no/few clinimetric results, leaving 35 studies for evaluation. Graded
according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health
Measurement INstruments (COSMIN checklist), the methodological quality in the
reliability and validity domains was "fair" (57%) to "poor" (43%), with only one
study rated as "good". The reliability domain was most often investigated. Few of
the assessment methods in the included studies that had "fair" or "good"
measurement property ratings demonstrated acceptable results for both reliability
and validity. We found a substantially larger number of clinical scapular
assessment methods than previously reported. Using the COSMIN checklist the
methodological quality of the included measurement properties in the reliability
and validity domains were in general "fair" to "poor".
None were examined for all
three domains: (1) reliability; (2) validity; and (3) responsiveness.
Observational evaluation systems and assessment of scapular upward rotation seem
suitably evidence-based for clinical use. Future studies should test and improve
the clinimetric properties, and especially diagnostic accuracy and
responsiveness, to increase utility for clinical practice.

Langue : ANGLAIS