The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Goldsmith indices of body symmetry in non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy

Purpose: Non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy are at risk of developing asymmetry affecting thoracic cage, pelvis and hips. The primary aim of this study was to establish intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry in non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy. The secondary aim was to establish comparative data for the Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry in healthy adults. Materials and method: Thirty non-ambulant young adults with cerebral palsy (17 males), and 48 young healthy controls (19 males), were recruited. Thoracic shape and symmetry, pelvic orientation and hip range, was measured using the Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry. Intra-rater reliability was established by repeated measurement within a single session. Inter-rater reliability was established having two raters measure each participant on two sequential sessions. Analysis utilised intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: The Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry has excellent intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients >= 0.97). Inter-rater reliability for all Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry measures was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients >= 0.85). Range and variability of results was greater for participants with cerebral palsy compared to comparative data. Conclusion: The Goldsmith Indices of Body Symmetry has good inter and intra-rater reliability for measurement of thoracic shape and symmetry, pelvic orientation and hip range, allowing accurate tracking of postural changes over time in non-ambulant adults with cerebral palsy.