Work

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of anterior and posterior drawer tests for the assessment of people with shoulder instability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background The well-known drawer tests to assess glenohumeral laxity and instability have shown appropriate reliability, although analysed mainly in healthy subjects. Objective To evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of anterior and posterior drawer tests in subjects with symptoms of shoulder instability. Design Clinometric study of intra- and inter-rater reliability of drawer tests was carried out following COSMIN recommendations and GRRAS checklist. Setting Centres with equipped facilities for assessments. Participants There were 105 participants (69 male/36 female) aged 18 to 60 years with instability symptoms in at least one shoulder. Each participant underwent bilateral assessments. The sample consists of 210 shoulders, unstable and healthy. Intervention Anterior and posterior drawer tests. Main measures Humeral translations were assessed using drawer tests and graded with Hawkins scale, modified Hawkins and dichotomising (positive/negative). Two sessions were performed (seven to fourteen-day washout period): Each patient was evaluated by two examiners in the first session and by one of them in the second. Weighted Kappa analysed the reliability. Results The intra-rater reliability of the anterior and posterior drawer tests was excellent (weighted Kappa = 1) with the Hawkins scale. Inter-rater reliability was good for the anterior drawer: weighted Kappa = 0.76 (95%confidence interval: 0.67–0.85) with the Hawkins scale, weighted Kappa = 0.78 (95%confidence interval: 0.69–0.87) with modified Hawkins, and weighted Kappa = 0.80 (95%confidence interval: 0.71–0.89) dichotomising; and for the posterior drawer: weighted Kappa = 0.62 (95%confidence interval: 0.52–0.72), weighted Kappa = 0.67 (95%confidence interval: 0.57–0.78), and weighted Kappa = 0.70 (95%confidence interval: 0.59–0.80), respectively. Conclusion Drawer tests demonstrated excellent intra-rater and good inter-rater reliability in subjects with symptoms of shoulder instability.

Source: Clinical Rehabilitation

DOI: 10.1177/02692155251339380

Authors: Rocio Aldon-Villegas, Gema Chamorro-Moriana, Patricio Lopez-Tarrida, Maria-Luisa Benitez-Lugo

Institutions: Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Language: English

Topic: Shoulder Injury and Treatment

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,400