The Validity and Reliability of the EMC Device; For the Checking ofthe Mobility of the First Ray of the Foot / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity and intra-rater, inter-rater reliability of the EMC device used to check the mobility of the first ray of the foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine cases (43 patients) of mild to severe hallux valgus feet were enrolled in this study. For an analysis of the validity of the EMC device, the dorsal mobility of the first ray of the foot was measured using the modified Coleman block test and EMC device. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of EMC device was evaluated by measuring the dorsal mobility of the first ray of the foot twice with three independent raters blinded to other's results. The results were analyzed for the intra-rater reliability and for inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: The mean value of the dorsal mobility of the first ray of the foot by the EMC device and modified Coleman block test was 8.3 mm (range; 4.3-12.3 mm) and 7.4 mm (range; 3.4-10.3 mm), respectively. There was a significant difference between the EMC device and modified Coleman block test (p<0.05). However, both the measured data, showed a good correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.84). The paired t-test for intra-rater reliability and ANOVA testing for inter-rater reliability showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: The EMC device is reliable and valid for measuring the mobility of the first ray of the foot.