| Summary: | Function of the shoulder complex is highly dependent on the relationship between the scapula
and the humerus. Etiologies for the disruption of the glenohumeral relationship include impaired
or abnormal scapular function, motion, or position. The lateral scapular slide test (LSST) has
been developed as a clinical tool to assess this phenomenon, also known as scapular dyskinesis.
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the LSST by comparing the
clinical measurements on the skin surface to the actual anatomical distance between the scapula
and the spine as seen on radiographic images. The secondary purpose of this study was to
determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the LSST. Nine subjects (18 shoulders) were
assessed with the clinical LSST and radiographic images in three test positions (0��, 45��, and 90��
of glenohumeral abduction). Comparison of the clinical LSST measurements with the
radiographs revealed the LSST to be valid (>0.80) in only the 0�� and 45�� test positions with
respective Pearson correlation values of 0.91 and 0.98. Excellent (>0.75) intra-rater ICC (2,1)
reliability (0.91-0.97) was found for all three test positions. Inter-rater ICC (2,1) reliability
values were excellent for the 0�� (0.87) and 45�� (0.83) test positions, and fair to good for the 90��
position (0.71). This study demonstrated that the LSST is an accurate and consistent measure of
scapular movement and position for the 0�� and 45�� test positions. Clinicians should exercise
caution when interpreting measurements obtained at the 90�� test position because the validity and
reliability values did not reach established standards. === Graduation date: 2002
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