Abstract
Background. The measurement of the functional range of motion (FROM) of lower limb joints is an essential parameter for gait analysis especially in evaluating rehabilitation programs. Aim. To develop a simple, reliable, and affordable mechanical goniometer (MGR) for gait analysis, with six-degree freedom to dynamically assess lower limb joint angles. Design. Randomized control trials, in which a new MGR was developed for the measurements of FROM of lower limb joints. Setting. Reliability of the designed MGR was evaluated and validated by a motion analysis system (MAS). Population. Thirty healthy subjects participated in this study. Methods. Reliability and validity of the new MGR were tested by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plots, and linear correlation analysis. Results. The MGR has good inter- and intrarater reliability and validity with ICC ≥ 0.93 (for both). Moreover, measurements made by MGR and MAS were comparable and repeatable with each other, as confirmed by Bland-Altman plots. Furthermore, a very high degree of linear correlation (R ≥ 0.92 for all joint angle measurements) was found between the lower limb joint angles measured by MGR and MAS. Conclusion. A simple, reliable, and affordable MGR has been designed and developed to aid clinical assessment and treatment evaluation of gait disorders.
Highlights
Walking, as a characteristic of bipedalism, involves a multitude of body parts from the brain, the peripheral nervous system, and the musculatures to the feedback sensory system
Bland-Altman plots showed that almost all measurement points were located within the ±2 standard deviation lines
The linear correlations of the joint angles measured by mechanical goniometer (MGR) and motion analysis system (MAS) were quantified by the correlation coefficient R
Summary
As a characteristic of bipedalism, involves a multitude of body parts from the brain, the peripheral nervous system, and the musculatures to the feedback sensory system. The subjectivity of OGA lacks accuracy, good validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity [7] and relies on appropriate training and experience of the operators [8], especially as the complexity of walking pattern increases with age and pathological progressions. This calls for a more objective analysis, and instrumental gait analysis (IGA) provides a more accurate, sensitive, and reliable means of gait analysis to fulfill that role. A simple, reliable, and affordable MGR has been designed and developed to aid clinical assessment and treatment evaluation of gait disorders
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