Abstract
Background and Purpose: Activation of transversus abdominis (TA) is regarded by many as an integral part of back pain management. A measuring tool to detect activity of TA, The Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU), has been devised. This study aimed to determine the intra, inter and test re-test reliability of the PBU.
Method: 3 raters (GM, TR, JL) and 10 subjects (mean age 23.2 yrs, ± 4.5) were recruited fulfilling specific inclusion criteria. Ethical approval was gained from the Institutions Ethical Committee. Following a period of training in the abdominal drawing-in test each subject was assessed in a randomised order during one visit by all three raters. All raters and subjects were blind to the result of previous attempts. All subjects were assessed on a second visit a week later by one rater (GM). ICC’s were calculated to determine intra, inter and test re test reliability.
Results: Intra reliability for the three raters (GM,TR, JL) at the first visit were.589.784.869 respectively. Inter tester reliability was.788, with test re -test reliability.766. Of note intra reliability for rater GM for the second visit was.986.
Conclusion: The Pressure Biofeedback Unit is a reliable tool when utilised with a population of subjects that can perform the abdominal drawing-in test. Further research should establish its reliability with a back pain population. Improvements in consistency on the second visit could indicate that minimal practise of the task enhances this motor skill.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr J. O’Dowd, Honorary Secretary at SBPR c/o BOA, Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE.
