Validity of the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts (ARCON) system for lumbar range of motion.

Abstract

This study compared a new computerized method of assessing lumbar range of motion, the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts, with standard dual inclinometry. Motions examined were flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left straight leg raising. The Applied Rehabilitation Concepts and dual inclinometry data were examined to obtain the reliability for each method and to compare values obtained between the two methods. Because standard inclinometry as described in the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" is cumbersome, time-consuming, and requires considerable patient compliance, a computerized method that could give us comparable results would be desirable. This is the first study to compare the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts computerized system with standard dual inclinometry. In Part 1, 34 (16 male, 18 female) young adults (22.8 +/- 4.9 years old) each performed four separate testing sessions in random order, two with the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts system and two with dual inclinometry. In Part 2, 33 (16 male, 17 female) young adults (21.7 +/- 3.8 years old) performed four separate Applied Rehabilitation Concepts sessions, in random order, two with the previously used techniques, and two with improved stabilization techniques. In Part 1, dual inclinometry and the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts system lacked repeatability. The two methods correlated highly with each other, although consistent differences were seen for some of the measurements. In Part 2, improved stabilization techniques resulted in higher reliability for Applied Rehabilitation Concepts measurements. The Applied Rehabilitation Concepts system provided fairly reliable results when improved stabilization techniques were employed. However, because of differences in lumbar range of motion values obtained, impairment ratings based on standard inclinometry may not be appropriate for measurements obtained on the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts.