Repeatability and intra-rater reproducibility of a digitalized test of body image perception

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2017v19n2p214 A body schema is a cortical representation of the spatial relations of body parts. It can be evaluated using the Image Marking Procedure (IMP). However, that instrument lacks information regarding its reliability and a standardized set of procedures. The aim of this study was to test the repeatability and intra-rater reproducibility of an adapted IMP. Methods: It consisted of two steps: (1) adaptation of the instrument; (2) verification of its reliability. Sixty-five young adult women were evaluated on two different days by a single rater, with a one-week interval between evaluations. Three consecutive measurements were performed on each day. Regarding repeatability, for all the variables (coordinates, distances and area), the ICC scores were classified as excellent, with low SEM (<4.5cm) and MDC (<8.5cm) values. Regarding intra-rater reproducibility, only the variables area and distance between the trochanters presented ICC> 0.6. The adapted IMP needs to be conducted only once. Regarding reproducibility, the variables apt for use are the area within the points and the distance between the trochanters. In contrast to the original IMP test, in this adapted version we do not recommend the use of the distances between the shoulders, the hip/waist or the top of the head in relation to the ground.