A standardised template for reporting lower limb kinematic waveform movement compensations from a sensor-based portable clinical movement analysis toolkit

Abstract

ObjectivesTo develop a standardised template to support physiotherapist reporting of lower limb kinematic waveform data DesignWithin and between user agreement identification of movement compensation strategies. SettingUniversity Health Board Physiotherapy Department ParticipantsFourteen individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed overground gait, double-leg squat, and stair ascent wearing body-worn sensors. Six users viewed 252 kinematic waveforms of hip, knee and ankle joint angles in the sagittal and frontal planes. Main outcome measuresBetween and within-user observed agreement and themes from movement analysis reports ResultsBetween-user observed agreement for presence of a movement compensation was 0.6–0.9 for the sagittal plane and 0.75–1.0 for the frontal place. Within-user observed agreement was 0.57–1.00 for the sagittal plane and 0.71–1.00 for the frontal plane. Three themes and seven categories were identified from the waveform interpretations: Amount (qualitative and quantitative description), timing (phase, discrete time point, cycle), and nature (peak, range of motion, timing) of the compensation. ConclusionThere was good agreement between users at identifying the presence of movement compensation from the kinematic waveforms, but there was variation in how movement compensations were described. An interactive report, a standardised template for interpretation of kinematic waveforms, and training to support the clinical application of a movement analysis toolkit are proposed.