Inclinometer Reliability for Shoulder Ranges of Motion in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the intra- and interrater reliability of active and passive range of motion in the shoulders of individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome using a digital inclinometer. METHODS: The raters evaluated active and passive range of motion in the shoulder of 50 individuals with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome in movements including flexion, abduction, extension, external rotation in a neutral position, external rotation with the arm at 90° of abduction, and internal rotation with the arm at 90° of abduction. The tests were performed by 2 examiners on the same day, with a 10-minute interval, and were repeated by 1 examiner after a 2- to 4-day interval. Reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,3). RESULTS: There was moderate to excellent interrater (ICC2,3 = 0.50-0.95) and intrarater (ICC2,3 = 0.74-0.94) reliability. In the interrater analysis, the standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 4.1° to 10°, the percentage SEM (%SEM) ranged from 2% to 17%, and the minimum detectable change ranged from 9.5° to 23.4°. In the intrarater analysis, the SEM ranged from 4° to 9.2°, %SEM ranged from 3% to 14%, and the minimum detectable change ranged from 9.3° to 21.4°. CONCLUSION: The digital inclinometer showed moderate to excellent reliability for measuring active and passive range of motion in shoulders with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome.

Virtual assessments of knee and wrist joint range motion have comparable reliability with face-to-face assessments.

BACKGROUND: There has been increased usage of virtual telerehabilitation approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is crucial to establish reliability of conducting virtual assessments for musculoskeletal conditions. OBJECTIVES: This research determined the intra- and interrater reliability of measuring knee and wrist range of motion (ROM) assessed virtually and obtained face-to-face (F2F) using a goniometer (UG) for a student and an experienced examiner. METHOD: Knee and wrist joint ROM for 54 healthy participants was assessed virtually and F2F by a student examiner and an experienced physical therapist. Intra- (virtual vs. UG assessment) and inter-rater (virtual or UG assessment between examiners) reliabilities were examined for all ROM using Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The ICC values were considered good (>0.75) or excellent (>0.90). Bland and Altman plots determined the limits of agreement (LOA) in assessing joint ROM. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Student examiner had good reliability in virtually estimating knee extension (ICC = 0.79), wrist flexion (ICC = 0.82) and wrist extension (ICC = 0.78), whereas the experienced examiner had excellent reliability in virtually estimating all knee and wrist ROM (ICC > 0.90). The LOA in assessing knee and wrist ROM for the student examiner were wider indicating higher disagreement between virtual and UG-obtained ROM in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual estimation of knee and wrist ROM is a reliable technique, however experience level impacts the precision of measurement. It is suggested that the same examiner conducts all the ROM assessments throughout the clinical course of a patient receiving virtual interventions for knee or wrist pathologies.

Validity and Intrarater Reliability Using a Smartphone Clinometer Application to Measure Active Cervical Range of Motion Including Rotation Measurements in Supine.

CONTEXT: Technological advances have given smartphones the capabilities of sensitive clinical measurement equipment at lesser cost and higher availability. The Clinometer is a smartphone application that can be used to measure the joint range of motion in a clinical setting, but psychometric properties of the tool's use measuring cervical range of motion (CROM) are not established. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and intrarater reliability of the Clinometer application for the measurement of CROM (ie, flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion) and to determine the minimal detectable change and SEM. DESIGN: A blinded, repeated-measures correlational design was employed. SETTING: The study was conducted collaboratively between 2 athletic training clinics. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of healthy adults ages 18-30 years were recruited. Participants with any history in the last 3 months of cervical or thoracic pathology, pain, or any musculoskeletal injury were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three repetitions of each motion were measured by a primary researcher with a goniometer. The same researcher then conducted 3 blinded measurements with the Clinometer application following the same procedure. A second researcher, blinded to the goniometer measurements, recorded the results. Thirty minutes later, testing was repeated with the application. The Pearson correlation was calculated to determine validity of the application compared with goniometry. RESULTS: The measurements between devices had moderate to excellent concurrent validity, with the coefficients ranging between 0.544 and 0.888, P < .01. Test-retest reliability of the CROM measurement using the application was moderate to excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging between .774 and .928. Across all movements, the SEM ranged from 1.17° to 2.01°, and the minimal detectable change ranged from 1.18° to 2.02°. CONCLUSION: The Clinometer application is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring active CROM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: clinical measurement, level 1b.

A Mobile Application to Measure Trunk Flexion Angles in Lifting Tasks.

Occupational Abstract The aim of this project was to develop and test an application capable of quickly and repeatedly measuring trunk flexion angles during sagittal plane lifting tasks. The developed application uses the built-in accelerometer in mobile devices to approximate trunk flexion angle, as the user follows an operator as they perform a lift. A black line is superimposed over the camera feed, allowing the user to approximate the angle of inclination of a line connecting the operator's seventh cervical and first sacral vertebrae-thereby estimating the trunk flexion angle. The magnitude of this angle and its velocity have been linked to the development of occupational low back pain; thus the application provides ergonomists a more refined means of screening tasks beyond currently available survey tools.

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background The majority of quantitative postural analysis tools used in biomechanics laboratories are either infeasible or impractical for applied ergonomic field use. Survey tools do exist but are subjective in nature. Purpose To develop an application for handheld mobile devices that can quickly, reliably, and accurately measure the trunk flexion angle in order to afford more detailed and objective ergonomic analyses. Methods The application, Trunk Angle Goniometer (TAG), was programed using Xcode (Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA). Sixteen participants measured the trunk angle of lifts in the sagittal plane using TAG installed on an iPad (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA). To establish the accuracy of the application, comparisons were made to gold standard (manual anatomical landmark digitization) measures of maximum trunk angle, maximum trunk velocity, and the root-mean square (RMS) difference between trunk angle time histories. Precision was also assessed between raters (inter-rater reliability), between trials assessing the same lift (intra-rater reliability) and between trials assessing similar lifts (test-retest reliability). Results TAG generally underestimated the true magnitude of trunk flexion by 5 ° to 15 °, and overestimated flexion velocity by approximately 10 °/sec. RMS errors were between 8.6 ° and 13.4 °. Performance measures showed fair to good test-retest reliability between 0.631 and 0.709. Overall the application had an excellent inter-rater reliability above 0.95 for all measures; however, suffered from low intra-rater reliability (0.381 to 0.520) but these dramatically increased when averages were taken across multiple trials (from 0.739 to 0.838). Conclusions TAG performed well for quantifying angles in the sagittal plane. The approach has the added benefit of being able to assess lifting tasks in real time, combined with its relatively cheap cost, the approach shows promise for field-work and assessments.

Use of an Instrumented Ankle Arthrometer and External Strain Gauge to Assess Ankle Dorsiflexion Motion and Plantarflexor Stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Ankle dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness measurement offer clinical insight into the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. We aimed to determine reliability and concurrent validity of an ankle arthrometer in quantifying dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness. METHODS: Ten healthy individuals were assessed for dorsiflexion motion and plantarflexor stiffness using an ankle arthrometer with a 6 degree-of-freedom kinematic linkage system and external strain gauge to apply dorsiflexion torque. Two investigators each performed five loads to the ankle at different combinations of loads (10 or 20 Nm), rates (2.5 or 5 Nm/sec), and knee angles (10° or 20°). Anteroposterior displacement and inversion-eversion rotation were also assessed with arthrometry, and functional dorsiflexion motion was assessed with the weightbearing lunge (WBL) test. RESULTS: Good-to-excellent intrarater reliability was observed for peak dorsiflexion (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC][2,k] = 0.949-0.988) and plantarflexor stiffness (ICC[2,k] = 0.761-0.984). Interrater reliability was good to excellent for peak dorsiflexion (ICC[2,1] = 0.766-0.910) and poor to excellent for plantarflexor stiffness (ICC[2,1] = 0.275-0.914). Reliability was best for 20-Nm loads at 5 Nm/sec. Strong correlations were observed between peak dorsiflexion and anteroposterior displacement (r = 0.666; P = 0.035) and WBL distance (r = -0.681; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Using an ankle arthrometer to assess peak dorsiflexion and plantarflexor stiffness seems reliable when performed to greater torques with faster speeds; and offers consistency with functional measures. Use of this readily available tool may benefit clinicians attempting to quantify equinus and dorsiflexion deficits in pathological populations.

Development of a Patient-Based Goniometric System for the Assessment of Contracture Conditions in Dupuytren's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatment outcomes of Dupuytren's disease depend largely on degree of contracture and biological severity. Longitudinal assessment of each is crucial for effective care and long-term outcome assessment. Ideally, each Dupuytren's patient should have ongoing interval evaluations. Because of the large number of Dupuytren's patients, it would be impractical and costly for health care professionals to examine every patient in person on a regular basis. Patient-based evaluations might provide a useful and cost-effective alternative to office-based examination. METHODS: Finger goniometry is the standard metric for office-based evaluation of Dupuytren's disease. This study's goal was to develop a new patient-reported goniometric system. The authors developed a completely Web-based goniometric software for patients to use without supervision and without undue effort or cost. They then evaluated the validity and precision of the core measurement system and the reliability of its patient-based application. RESULTS: With a correlation of 0.992 (p < 0.01), a mean deviation of -0.25 degree, and a standard deviation of 2.74 degrees in patient-based application, the authors found their goniometric software to be comparable to practitioner-based, conventional goniometry. The authors believe patient-based goniometry to be a sufficiently accurate, valid, and reliable approach for longitudinal clinical assessment of Dupuytren's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-based goniometric approaches have great potential for inexpensive, accurate, and accessible longitudinal assessment of the large population of Dupuytren's patients. Such approaches could help to substantially improve overall care of Dupuytren's disease through early diagnosis and timely treatment. In addition, being able to collect reliable patient data on a regular basis and on a larger scale could help improve understanding of the natural history of Dupuytren's disease. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, I.

A new method measurement for finger range of motion using a smartphone.

The protractor-based goniometer is the standard instrument used to measure finger range of motion (ROM). However, the method is often complicated to apply and places a burden on the investigator. Here, we developed a new method for finger ROM measurement using a smartphone. This study was performed to determine the reliability and convenience of this new method. The ROM in 1007 finger joints was measured by both the standard and new method and the data were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The smartphone ICC score was high (0.927), and the average measurement time per joint was 49% lower with the smartphone compared to the goniometer. The results indicated that the smartphone-based measurement method had the same reliability as the conventional goniometer, in addition to an excellent measurement time.

Wrist ROM measurements using smartphone photography: Reliability and validity.

No one has validated measuring the wrist's active range of motion (ROM) using smartphone images in patients. It is not known whether pathological factors affect the accuracy of this measurement technique. The purpose of this study was to assess if smartphone photography is as reliable and valid as manual goniometry for measuring wrist joint ROM. We reviewed 38 wrists in 38 patients (21 women and 17 men) with a mean age of 45 years (range, 26-60). Smartphones were used to take digital photos of injured wrists at extremes of wrist motion, including flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation. The mean difference in measured ROM between the two measurement methods (digital photos and handheld goniometer) was compared using Student's t test and the relationship determined using Pearson correlation coefficients. Bland-Altman analysis was used to define the limits of agreement (LOA). No significant difference was found when comparing the wrist ROM in the four positions using manual goniometry and digital measurements from photos taken by a surgeon. Between the goniometer measurements and digital photos taken by a surgeon, the Pearson coefficients were high, with most being above 0.8 for the four positions. The Pearson coefficients also show the smartphone measurements were highly precise. There was high reliability between the photographs taken by surgeons and by patients, as well as high interobserver reliability. Smartphone photography is a reliable and valid method to measure wrist joint ROM in patients. This measurement method can be used to measure outcomes.

Inertial motion capture validation of 3D knee kinematics at various gait speed on the treadmill with a double-pose calibration.

BACKGROUND: Inertial motion capture (IMC) is rapidly gaining in popularity to evaluate gait in clinical settings. Previous examinations of IMC knee kinematics were often limited to the sagittal plane and IMC calibration has not been thoroughly investigated. RESEARCH QUESTION: The objective was to validate IMC 3D knee kinematics calibrated with a double-pose during gait with reference to optical motion capture (OMC). The hypotheses are that IMC can estimate adequately knee kinematics and that both systems will detect similarly the changes with gait speed. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy participants walked on the treadmill at gait speed of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 m/s. Knee kinematics were obtained simultaneously with two magnetic and inertial measurement units and passive markers fixed on the KneeKG system. OMC was calibrated with a functional anatomical approach and the IMC with a double-pose. RESULTS: Root mean square differences of the two systems yielded 3-6° for knee flexion, adduction and external rotation. Knee kinematics were more similar during the stance phase than the swing phase. Gait speed showed a significant progressive effect on the three knee angles that was similarly detected by the two systems. SIGNIFICANCE: IMC 3D knee kinematics can be obtained independently with a simple calibration and only two magnetic and inertial measurement units at an acceptable level of error especially during stance.

Evaluation of an examination chair to quantify the hip internal rotation angle.

BACKGROUND: Deformities of the femoral head-neck junction are associated with limited hip internal rotation, which may lead to femoroacetabular impingement and consequently to hip osteoarthritis. This study compared inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of 3 different methods to quantify hip internal rotation. METHODS: 2 investigators assessed hip internal rotation of 30 asymptomatic participants during 2 separate testing sessions. Internal rotation was assessed by rotating the 90°-flexed hip manually while in a supine position (manual), in an examination chair capable of applying a single load (EC1) and in a newly developed examination chair with 5 load levels (EC2). Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was compared among methods using reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC) and measurement error (smallest detectable chance). RESULTS: Inter-observer reliability was good for the manual assessment (ICC = 0.83) and excellent for the EC1 and EC2 methods (ICC ⩾ 0.95) with expected measurement errors of 15.9°, 7.1° and 6.8°-14.3°, respectively. Intra-observer reliability was excellent for each method (ICC ⩾ 0.96), although measurement error ranged from 7.6°-11.8° for EC2 and was slightly higher compared to the manual (7.8°) and EC1 (5.9°) methods. CONCLUSIONS: Reproducibility of EC2 hip internal rotation angle assessment is superior to that of the manual assessment at specific load levels but not to the EC1 method. Future assessment devices need to incorporate a means of precisely producing and quantifying the loads applied to the hip joint in order to improve measurement reproducibility.

Healthy knee KT1000 measurements of anterior tibial translation have significant variation.

PURPOSE: The most commonly used arthrometer for measuring and reporting anterior tibial translation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is the KT1000. Reports on its consistency and reproducibility vary in the literature, but it remains the "gold standard". The purpose of this study was to assess agreement of KT1000 measurements in a daily clinical setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of anterior knee translation in the healthy knee of 770 patients over a 17-year time period was performed. In this cohort, a total of 24 investigators performed 1890 measurement sets at 89 Newtons (N), 134N and at maximum manual force (MMax) level. To assess the inter- and intra-observer agreement, the intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. The "investigator effect" was a difference between two examiners in the same patient and the "device effect'' a difference within one examiner in the same patient. Minimally important difference (MID) was calculated as 0.5 of the standard deviation. RESULTS: Thirteen investigators were female, performing 1099 measurements and 11 were male, performing 791 measurements. ICC ranged between 0.558 and 0.644. At the MMax level, male investigators had a higher mm reading than female investigators (p < 0.001). Increased experience did not correlate with a higher ICC. MID ranged between 0.85 and 1.65 mm. CONCLUSION: This study investigated the KT1000 arthrometer in a clinical setting with a large number of investigators. This device delivers moderate agreement of results. Both the device and investigator effect are present. The MMax level has shown the lowest agreement and a dependency on the investigator gender. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III diagnostic study.

Reliability and validity of the Microgate Gyko for measuring range of motion of the low back.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test the inter- and intrarater reliability and the concurrent validity of the Gyko Microgate for the assessment of lumbar range of motion. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with two groups of healthy participants. The first group, consisting of 91 subjects, was tested to determine the inter- and intrarater reliability. Concurrent validity was assessed with comparisons with an optical motion system (Vicon) in a second group of 20 subjects. Lumbar range of motion in flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion were performed. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for both analyses. Measurement error was calculated with standard error of the measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC) and Limits of Agreement (LoA). ICCs were considered good when ICC ≥0.80 and excellent with ICC ≥0.90. RESULTS: Interrater reliability was good to excellent with ICCs ranging from 0.82 to 0.94. Intrarater reliability was good to excellent with ICCs ranging from 0.84 to 0.95. Concurrent validity was excellent with ICCs varying from 0.90 to 0.95. LoA were highest in interrater reliability and smallest in concurrent validity. SEM ranged from 2.2 to 4.0° in lateral flexion left and flexion respectively. SDC varied from 6.1 to 11.1°. CONCLUSION: Gyko has good inter- and intrarater reliability and excellent concurrent validity compared to the optical motion system for lumbar range of motion. Gyko may be considered as objective measure to measure range of motion for clinical purposes, however trials with patients are currently lacking.

Validity and reliability of the GYKO inertial sensor system for the assessment of the elbow range of motion.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of joints range of motion (ROM) represents a fundamental step in the diagnosis of joint disorders. Assessors usually measure the ROM angle through a universal goniometer (UG). GYKO inertial system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) represent a noninvasive, easy-to-use, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) method for the measurement of the elbow ROM. The aim of this study was to validate the GYKO digital device comparing it with the gold standard UG in the measurement of elbow flexion-extension ROM in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects (15 females, 15 males; mean age: 34 years, range 25-58 years) were enrolled. The elbow ROM of the dominant arm was measured with two methods, UG and GYKO. Active flexion-extension movement of the elbow was measured by two operators with UG (A1_UG; A2_UG) and with GYKO (A1_GYKO; A2_GYKO; B_GYKO). Intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, and concurrent validity were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values. Bland-Altman plot was used to compare UG and GYKO. RESULTS: Both methods were very reliable (P<0.001). Intra-rater reliability showed strong correlation respectively for the UG (ICC=0.798) and for GYKO (ICC=0.859) while inter-rater reliability showed moderate correlation with UG (ICC=0.726) and strong correlation with GYKO (ICC=0.942). The concurrent validity, obtained by three comparisons (A1, A2 and B) showed moderate correlation (ICC: 0.576-0.776). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of GYKO as useful as the UG for the assessment of the active flexion-extension ROM of the elbow.

An Optoelectronic System for Measuring the Range of Motion in Healthy Volunteers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Within the clinical evaluation of multiple pathologies of the lower limb, the measurement of range of motion (ROM) of its joints is fundamental. To this end, there are various tools, from the goniometer as a reference to more recent devices such as inclinometry-based applications, photo capture applications, or motion capture systems. This study aimed to assess the validity, intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability of the VeloFlex system (VS), which is a new camera-based tool designed for tracking joint trajectories and measuring joint ROM. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five healthy volunteers (16 females; aged 18-61 years) participated in this study. All participants were assessed on two separate occasions, one week apart. During the first assessment session, measurements were obtained using a goniometer and the VS, whereas, in the second session, only the VS was used. In each assessment session, nine active movements were examined. For each movement, three trials were tested, and the mean of these three measures was used for analysis. To evaluate the concurrent validity and agreement, the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altmann plots were used. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Both devices showed excellent correlations for all movements (r ranged from 0.992 to 0.999). The intra-rater reliability of the VS was excellent (ICC ranged from 0.93 to 0.99), SEMs ranged from 0.53% to 2.61% and the MDC ranged from 0.68° to 3.26°. The inter-rater reliability of the VS was also excellent (ICC ranged from 0.88 to 0.98), SEMs ranged from 0.81% to 4.76% and the MDC ranged from 2.27° to 4.42°. Conclusions: The VS is a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of ROM of lower limb joints in healthy subjects.

Stabilizing lateral ankle instability by suture tape - a cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: Suture tape is a recent development to augment a Brostrom repair at least during the healing phase of the native tissues used for stabilization of the lateral ankle ligaments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether suture tape is an effective mechanical stabilizer against anterior talar drawer in a cadaver experiment when tested with a validated arthrometer. METHODS: Different stability conditions were created in 14 cadaveric foot and leg specimens. Following anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) dissection, isolated suture tape ATFL reconstruction was compared to the unaltered specimens, to the condition with ATFL cut, to the ATFL plus calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) cut conditions, and to the ATFL, CFL, and posterior talofibular ligament transected specimens. Three-dimensional bone-to-bone movement between fibula and calcaneus were simultaneously recorded using bone pin markers. Anterior translation was analysed between 20 and 40 N anterior talar drawer load, applied by an ankle arthrometer. Test conditions were compared using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: Dissection of ATFL increased anterior talar drawer in arthrometer and bone pin marker analyses (p = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively). When the CFL was additionally cut, no further increase of the anterior instability could statistically be documented (p = 0.810 and 0.626, respectively). Following suture tape reconstruction of the ATFL, stability was not different from the unaltered ankle (p = 0.173). CONCLUSIONS: Suture tape augmentation of the ATFL effectively protects the unstable anterolateral ankle in the sagittal plane. The CFL does not seem to stabilize against the anterior talar drawer load.

Detecting Ankle Instability With an Instrumented Ankle Arthrometer: An Experimental Study.

A new instrumented device was developed to quantify ankle joint stability during an anterior talar drawer test. The aim of the present study was to validate this device comparing bone kinematics with arthrometer measurement outcomes. An anterior talar drawer test was performed with 14 cadaver legs using a custom instrumented ankle arthrometer. Using clusters of bone-pin markers, the relative three-dimensional movement of calcaneus, talus, and fibula was simultaneously measured. Anterior drawer test was applied on the intact foot and after sequentially sectioning the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament. Cutting the anterior talofibular ligament caused a significant increase in bone-pin measured anterior translations of calcaneus and talus as well as in the anterior translation of the arthrometer. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves indicates a fair to good ability to discriminate between the intact and the sectioned conditions with the arthrometer. Distal distraction, inversion, and internal rotation movements were observed when two and three ligaments were cut. Results revealed that the ankle arthrometer was sensitive to detect changes in bone-to-bone movements during an anterior talar drawer test, when the anterior talofibular ligament was sectioned. Presumably due to movements in additional planes of motion, the arthrometer was not able to differentiate between situations with one or more ligaments cut. In conclusion, the instrumented anterior talar drawer tester may augment current procedures in assessing ankle instability primarily caused by ruptures of the anterior talofibular ligament. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2019-2026, 2019.

Evaluation of a Novel Device for Assessing Ballet Dancers' Functional Turnout.

Despite various approaches to measuring ballet dancers' turnout, no standardized method for doing so has yet been estab- lished. Here a newly designed rotational goniometer (RGM) for assessing ballet dancers' functional turnout is evaluated. Twenty experienced female ballet dancers participated in the study. Measurements of the dancers' turnout were taken three times in each of the following conditions: 1. while standing on the RGM device (RGMT); 2. as if the participant was in a ballet class (CT); and 3. performing an active external rotation of the lower extremities in the supine position (AT). The angles obtained in the three trials in each condition were averaged and the results of the three conditions were compared. The mean angle of RGMT (RGMTangle: 103.89° ± 15.2°) was significantly smaller than those of the CT (CTangle: 128.7° ± 15.1°) and AT (ATangle: 110.09° ± 17.6°) conditions (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The greatest angle (i.e., the CTangle) is influenced by both friction and weightbearing. The ATangle is released from weightbearing, unlike the RGMTangle. Positive correlations were revealed between the RGMTangle and the ATangle (r = 0.78, p < 0.01) and between the RGMTangle and the CTangle (r = 0.57, p = 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the novel RGM device, characterized by elimination of friction and full weightbearing, is useful for assessing ballet dancers' functional turnout.

Reliability of Inclinometer-Derived Passive Range of Motion Measures in Youth with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: This study evaluated, for youth with cerebral palsy (CP), the reliability of passive range of motion (PROM) measures taken with an inclinometer, a device that may be simpler to use than a goniometer. Methods: The PROM for elbow and wrist extension, ankle dorsal flexion (knee flexed 90° and fully extended), and the knee popliteal angle of 30 youth with CP (18 boys, 12 girls, 7.0 ± 3.8 years old, classified in Gross Motor Function Classification levels I-V) was measured using an inclinometer. Two physical therapists took the measures during two different sessions, a maximum of 1 week apart. Results: Good mean intra-rater inter-session, inter-rater intra-session, and inter-rater inter-session reliability (ICC = 0.75-0.89), was found for the elbow, ankle, and knee sites. Absolute reliability for these sites and conditions was 7-14° (90% confident) and 10-16° (95% confident). Reliability values for wrist extension were comparable, albeit slight lower. Conclusions: Similar to published values for goniometry, inclinometery yields reliable upper and lower limb PROM measures from ambulatory and non-ambulatory youth with CP whether measures are carried out by different evaluators within or across sessions or whether measures are performed by the same evaluator across sessions.

The Reliability of a Smartphone Goniometer Application Compared With a Traditional Goniometer for Measuring Ankle Joint Range of Motion.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of range of motion (ROM) is integral to assessment of the musculoskeletal system, is required in health fitness and pathologic conditions, and is used as an objective outcome measure. Several methods are described to check ROM, each with advantages and disadvantages. Hence, this study introduces a new device using a smartphone goniometer to measure ankle joint ROM. OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability of smartphone goniometry in the ankle joint by comparing it with the universal goniometer (UG) and to assess interrater and intrarater reliability for the smartphone goniometer record (SGR) application. METHODS: Fifty-eight healthy volunteers (29 men and 29 women aged 18-30 years) underwent SGR and UG measurement of ankle joint dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Two examiners measured ankle joint ROM. Descriptive statistics were calculated for descriptive and anthropometric variables, as were intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: There were 58 usable data sets. For measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM, both instruments showed excellent interrater reliability: UG (ICC = 0.87) and SGR (ICC = 0.89). Intrarater reliability was excellent in both instruments in ankle dorsiflexion: UG and SGR (mean ICC = 0.91). For measuring ankle plantarflexion, both instruments showed excellent interrater reliability: UG (ICC = 0.76) and SGR (ICC = 0.82). Intrarater reliability was excellent in both instruments in ankle plantarflexion: UG (mean ICC = 0.85) and SGR (mean ICC = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone-based goniometers can be used to assess active ROM of the ankle joint because they can achieve a high degree of intrarater and interrater reliability.

Assessment of Shoulder Range of Motion Using a Wireless Inertial Motion Capture Device-A Validation Study.

(1) Background: Measuring joint range of motion has traditionally occurred with a universal goniometer or expensive laboratory based kinematic analysis systems. Technological advances in wearable inertial measurement units (IMU) enables limb motion to be measured with a small portable electronic device. This paper aims to validate an IMU, the 'Biokin', for measuring shoulder range of motion in healthy adults; (2) Methods: Thirty participants completed four shoulder movements (forward flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation) on each shoulder. Each movement was assessed with a goniometer and the IMU by two testers independently. The extent of agreement between each tester's goniometer and IMU measurements was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (LOA). Secondary analysis compared agreement between tester's goniometer or IMU measurements (inter-rater reliability) using ICC's and LOA; (3) Results: Goniometer and IMU measurements for all movements showed high levels of agreement when taken by the same tester; ICCs > 0.90 and LOAs < ±5 degrees. Inter-rater reliability was lower; ICCs ranged between 0.71 to 0.89 and LOAs were outside a prior defined acceptable LOAs (i.e., > ±5 degrees); (4) Conclusions: The current study provides preliminary evidence of the concurrent validity of the Biokin IMU for assessing shoulder movements, but only when a single tester took measurements. Further testing of the Biokin's psychometric properties is required before it can be confidently used in routine clinical practice and research settings.