Palpation-based scapular dyskinesis test: Inter-and intra-rater reliability and clinical advantages.

This article focuses on evaluating the reliability and clinical utility of the palpation-based Scapular Dyskinesis Test (SDT) for assessing scapular dyskinesis (SD). The study found that palpation SDT demonstrated almost perfect inter-rater (k = 0.82) and intra-rater reliability (k = 0.97), outperforming traditional visual observation and video analysis methods, especially in patients with low or high body mass index (BMI) or those unable to remove clothing. Additionally, palpation SDT showed substantial reliability (k = 0.74) in detecting Scapular Snapping Syndrome (SSS), a condition associated with scapular dysfunction. The three-type classification system (obvious, subtle, normal) used in the study provided a practical and reliable framework for clinical assessment. The findings suggest that palpation SDT is a valuable tool for diverse clinical settings, though further research is recommended to confirm its applicability across broader populations and to explore the influence of BMI and muscle mass on assessment accuracy.