Reliability of photogrammetric evaluation of the craniovertebral angle, swayback posture, and knee hyperextension in university students

Abstract

[Purpose] Forward head posture (FHP), swayback posture, and knee hyperextension are musculoskeletal conditions that can lead to pain, dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Accurate assessment of these postural deviations is critical for prevention and treatment. This study aimed to assess the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of photogrammetry in evaluating the craniovertebral angle (CVA), swayback posture, and knee hyperextension in a sample of university students. [Participants and Methods] Thirty participants were evaluated by four physical therapists (PTs) on the same day, with each PT performing three repetitions of the measurements. One PT repeated the measurements on a subsequent day to determine the retest reliability. [Results] The results showed excellent reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.98 for both inter- and intra-examiner reliability. [Conclusion] Photogrammetry is a reliable noninvasive method for evaluating these postural deviations, making it suitable for use in clinical and research settings.