Objective: To describe the development and validation of the 5-grade photographic IBSA Neck Laxity Scale.
Methods: The scale was developed from 2 real images, which led to the creation of 5 morphed images, representing different degrees of severity of laxity of the neck. For validation, a set of 50 images (25 real and 25 morphed) was created and sent for evaluation to 6 trained raters (physicians) in 2 rounds, 1 month apart. Raters had to assess each image according to the 5-image scale. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in both rounds was evaluated.
Results: As to intra-rater reliability, single rater kappa scores between 0.69 and 0.87, and a global kappa score of 0.78 were observed. Inter-rater agreement was measured by means of the intra-class correlation coefficient and scores higher than 0.85 were reported, indicating excellent reliability.
Conclusion: IBSA Neck Laxity Scale is a validated and reliable scale.
Keywords: aesthetic medicine; laxity; neck; photographic scale; scale development; scale validation.
© 2021 Tateo et al.