The Validity and Reliability of Kinovea Software in Measuring Thoracic Kyphosis and Lumbar Lordosis

Abstract

Objectives: The present study evaluated the inter-rater and intra-rater validity and reliability of posturography by Kinovea software to measure the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. Methods: Eighteen subjects (10 females & 8 males) referring for radiographic imaging were included in this cross-sectional study. For evaluating the validity, the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were measured according to the Cobb method and Kinovea in standing position. The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of Kinovea were tested by 3 evaluators and one expert evaluator, respectively. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient data suggested that the validity of measuring the thoracic kyphosis depends on the evaluator’s expertise. Besides, the correlation was not significant in measuring the lumbar lordosis angle (P>0.05). The inter-rater and intra-rater repeatability revealed that the correlation was significant in all angles by the intraclass correlation coefficient (P<0.001). Discussion: Posturography by Kinovea, as a noninvasive method presents an excellent inter-rater and intra-rater repeatability for measuring thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. This reliable method is simple, efficient, and inexpensive.