The intra- and inter-observer reliability of interface pressure measurements of the Milwaukee brace in adolescents with hyperkyphosis.

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of evidence in reliability of the modified sphygmomanometer to measure the brace-interface pad pressure in adolescents with Scheuermann's kyphosis (SK).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the intra- and inter-observer reliability of modified sphygmomanometer for measuring interface pad pressure in the Milwaukee brace.

METHODS

Two observers measured the pressure of the shoulder and kyphosis pads in Milwaukee brace on 33 adolescents with SK with an average age of 14.67 ± 1.72 years and Cobb angle 64.48∘± 7.53∘. All measurements were obtained in one day. The measurements were done in the inhalation and exhalation of tidal breathing during standing and sitting positions. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 95% confidence interval (CI), and linear mixed model ANOVA effects were calculated.

RESULTS

The intra-observer reliability varied from a good ICC of 0.81 (0.66-0.90) to an excellent of 0.97 (0.95-0.98). The inter-observer reliability also varied from a good ICC of 0.82 (0.67-0.91) to an excellent of 0.96 (0.93-0.98). The linear mixed model ANOVA analysis showed that the rater, position, and breathing had a significant effect on the pad pressure measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified sphygmomanometer is a reliable tool to measure the pad pressure of the Milwaukee brace for adolescents with SK.