Abstract
In clinical practice range of motion (RoM) is usually assessed with low-cost devices such as a tape measure (TM) or a digital inclinometer (DI). However, the intra- and inter-rater reliability of typical RoM tests differ, which impairs the evaluation of therapy progress. More objective and reliable kinematic data can be obtained with the inertial motion capture system (IMC) by Xsens. The aim of this study was to obtain the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the TM, DI and IMC methods in five RoM tests: modified Thomas test (DI), shoulder test modified after Janda (DI), retroflexion of the trunk modified after Janda (DI), lateral inclination (TM) and fingertip-to-floor test (TM). Two raters executed the RoM tests (TM or DI) in a randomized order on 22 healthy individuals while, simultaneously, the IMC data (Xsens MVN) was collected. After 15 warm-up repetitions, each rater recorded five measurements. Intra-rater reliabilities were (almost) perfect for tests in all three devices (ICCs 0.886-0.996). Inter-rater reliability was substantial to (almost) perfect in the DI (ICCs 0.71-0.87) and the IMC methods (ICCs 0.61-0.993) and (almost) perfect in the TM methods (ICCs 0.923-0.961). The measurement error (ME) for the tests measured in degree (°) was 0.9-3.3° for the DI methods and 0.5-1.2° for the IMC approaches. In the tests measured in centimeters the ME was 0.5-1.3cm for the TM methods and 0.6-2.7cm for the IMC methods. Pearson correlations between the results of the DI or the TM respectively with the IMC results were significant in all tests except for the shoulder test on the right body side (r = 0.41-0.81). Measurement repetitions of either one or multiple trained raters can be considered reliable in all three devices.
Highlights
Range of motion (RoM) measurements are often used to assess functional mobility [1, 2]
For the RoM tests measured in centimeters, the measurement error (ME) ranged from 0.5–1.3cm in the tape measures (TM) method and 0.6–2.7cm in the inertial motion capture system (IMC) method
While the TM and the digital inclinometers (DI) are in frequent use, the relatively new IMC systems have not, as yet, been used for static ROM assessment
Summary
Range of motion (RoM) measurements are often used to assess functional mobility [1, 2]. Good intra- and inter-rater reliabilities should be ensured for the respective test procedures using measurement devices in order to properly evaluate the therapy progress [2]. Both the intraand inter-rater reliability depend on the experience of the rater, the health status of the participants, the accuracy of the instrument, its exact use and the respective test protocol [2, 7]. In clinical practice range of motion (RoM) is usually assessed with low-cost devices such as a tape measure (TM) or a digital inclinometer (DI). The intra- and inter-rater reliability of typical RoM tests differ, which impairs the evaluation of therapy progress.
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