Validity and reliability of wheelchair sitting posture measures using Coach’s Eye in abled subjects

Abstract

People in wheelchairs spend a long time in the sitting position and often incur alignment problems resulting in neck and back pain. This study: (1) assessed the validity/reliability of Coach's Eye (CE) smart device application, (2) examined the effect of seat to back support angle adjustments on head, neck, and shoulder posture in the sitting position, and (3) compared changes in cervical rotation at each back support angle. Abled subjects sat in a wheelchair with back support angles positioned at 90°, 100°, and 110°. CE, as well as ImageJ software, was used to analyze three angles: sagittal head angle (SHA), cervical angle (CVA), and shoulder angle (SA). There were highly significant differences for CVA and SA (p < 0.001) among the three seat to back support angles. Validity of CE was examined by correlating CE with ImageJ scores. CE had high validity for all angles (r = 0.99, 0.98, 0.99 respectively, p < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability for SHA, CVA, and SA was high (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ranged from 0.95 to 0.99). Head (CVA) and shoulder (SA) alignment was closest to neutral posture with back support angles set at 110° and 90°, respectively.

Spinal postural alignment measurements using markerless digital photography

“…According to previous studies, ImageJ has been measured for posture assessment, wheelchair sitting posture, and brow position measurements. [16][17][18] To measure the degree of sagittal spinal postural alignment, the craniovertebral angle in supine (CVAS) and craniohorizontal angle in supine (CHAS) biomarkers were calculated from the images acquired in ImageJ. Previous studies have reported that standing CVA is an index of the anterior tilt of the head, and standing CHA reflects the position and visual field of the upper cervical spine that are associated with good intra-and interrater reliability in standing measurements ( Figure 2).…”

“…According to previous studies, ImageJ has been measured for posture assessment, wheelchair sitting posture, and brow position measurements. 16 –18…”

Coronal Spinal Postural Alignment Screening Tool using Markerless Digital Photography

“…The images were captured on a PC, and two angles were calculated for ADS screening using ImageJ (version 1.52, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). According to previous studies, ImageJ has been used for posture assessment, wheelchair sitting posture, and brow position measurements [18][19][20]. Landmarks for ADS screening were placed on both the lateral canthus and trapezius muscles using the ImageJ point tool.…”