The Reliability of a Video Analysis System (PnO Clinical Movement Data) and the Universal Goniometer in the Measurement of Hip, Knee, and Ankle Sagittal Plane Motion among Healthy Subjects

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Throughout the rehabilitation process, measuring joint range of motion (ROM) is essential to understand joint kinematics. The universal goniometer (UG) is the most common tool used in the clinical setting for joint ROM measurement. However, a review of the literature examining the reliability of the UG has demonstrated considerable variation in results and highlighted the necessity of introducing a more reliable tool. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of a two-dimensional video analysis system, PnO Clinical Movement Data (PnO CMD), compared with the UG. Methods Three testers examined ROM of eight healthy candidates. Passive sagittal plane motion of the hip, knee, and ankle joint was measured with and without markers. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values greater than 0.60 were considered to be satisfactory. Results Most intratester ICC values for PnO CMD were found to be above the satisfactory limit (ICC = 0.60–0.99). Intratester ICC values for the UG ranged considerably (ICC = 0.34–0.94), and some values were below the satisfactory limit. Intertester ICC values across all the joints for PnO CMD with markers were found to be above the satisfactory limits (ICC = 0.94–0.99). Discussion and Conclusions PnO Clinical Movement Data was found to be more reliable than the UG. Use of markers was found to increase the reliability. The present work introduces the use of advanced technology in joint ROM measurement.