Thoracoabdominal mobility evaluation of asthmatic patients in physiotherapy practice: Intra‐rater reliability. (5th March 2020) - Caruso, Flávia R.
Abstract: Background: The evaluation of thoracoabdominal mobility is a tool extensively used in the physiotherapy practice in different populations. Photogrammetry may be a simple tool to analyse thoracoabdominal mobility; however, it is unclear whether this assessment can be a reliable method. Aim: To test the reliability intra‐examinator by photogrammetry in asthmatic patients and in health controls. Methods: Twenty‐six asthmatic patients (29 ± 9 years) and 14 healthy matched controls (27 ± 8 years) were assessed by thoracoabdominal mobility. Photographs during rest, during inspiration and expiration maximum were used to calculate latero‐lateral and antero‐posterior diameters of the thorax (at axillary and xiphoid levels) and umbilical by markers positioned in osseous structures. An evaluator obtained the same measurements in an 8‐day interval. Results: We found a moderate reliability for axillary, xiphoid and umbilical mobility (average intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] respectively [0.68, 0.55 and 0.73]) for asthmatic group. In addition, for control group, we found a moderate reliability for axillary mobility (average ICC respectively [0.68] and a good reliability for xiphoid and umbilical mobility) (average ICC 0.81 and 0.70). Bland–Altman plots showed goods limit of agreement in photos 1 and 2 in both groups. Conclusion: The photogrammetric analysis of thoracoabdominal mobility presented itself as a reliable method and may be used in clinical practice in asthmatic patients and in controls.