Method

Standardized measurement methods were established. Measurements of active and passive movements of the joint range of motions for the elbow joint were performed by 3 raters (physiotherapists) with varying experience, for flexion, extension, pronation and supination. All measurements were performed twice with approximately 15 minutes between and included in total 21 healthy participants. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Exclusion criteria were: ongoing injury in the area, neurological disease that could affect mobility and be younger than 20 years or older than 69 years.

Result

The intraclass correlation (ICC) values for interrater reliability varied between 0.72-0.95 which was classified as good to excellent. For intrarater reliability, ICC values varied between 0.54-0.94 for rater 1, 0.65-0.94 for rater 2 and 0.47-0.94 for rater 3, which was classified as acceptable to excellent.

Conclusion

The inter- and intrarater reliability of the EasyAngle when measuring elbow joint range of motions are considered acceptable to excellent. As our study is the first of its kind for the elbow joint, further research is required with participants from different study populations. More studies are also required that investigate the usefulness of standardization.

Method

Thirty healthy individuals (15 males, 15 females), with a mean age of 22.3 +/- 1.8 years, were examined by 2 examiners who measured the ROM with a goniometer, inclinometer and the EasyAngle. Secondly the isometric strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer (HHD) and the Jamar in different shoulder positions. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Absolute reliability was quantified by standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). The validity was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Systematic differences across trials or between testers, as well as differences among similar measurements under different testing circumstances, were analysed with dependent t-tests.

Result

The intra-rater reliability for the ROM measurements shows excellent results for all the procedures (ICC, 0,931-0,991) but the inter-rater reliability shows low to moderate results (ICC, 0,439-0,774). The reliability for the isometric strength was excellent for all procedures (ICC, 0,843-0,967). For some of the measurements, systematic differences were found across trials or between testers. The subjects position and the equipment resulted in different outcome measurements.

Conclusion

All procedures examined showed acceptable reliability for clinical use. However, the subjects position and equipment might influence the results.

Method

Examiners have previously benefited in training on the use of the EasyAngle, complete with a written guide. The basics of the practice of classical direction finding have been reviewed in order to ensure that in accordance with the original recommendations of Moore to which refers to the work of Norkin et al.

It's through a study of properties metrology that professionals in the field of education were made to use repeated and comparative the Easy Angle device. The objective is to study the reproducibility of measurement and response to the change of the EasyAngle versus the manual reference goniometer (stainless steel, full circle) and the usual goniometer (plastic).

Result

The study involved 55 patients responding to inclusion criteria mentioned above: 30 have been operated on for knee arthroplasty and 25 hip arthroplasty. Twenty physiotherapists and 2 doctors were associated with the metrological study. It's based onb repeated experience with 55 patients that the usability of the device has been appreciated.

The opinion of the 2 doctors was not taken into account in order to rely on a group return homogeneous group of physiotherapists.

Conclusion

At this stage of the data analysis, nothing can not be advanced on the metrological qualities Easy Angle, this device appears obviously attractive and promising for the therapist looking for one measure at a time accurate and fast to collect. Its ergonomics and the gestural economy it induces should limit the risk of error, encourage measurement and traceability.

It remains to demonstrate its metrological qualities which have already been strongly suggested in unfortunately unpublished studies at this day. Exploitation of the results of is in progress.

Link to study online: here.

Method

The assessment of range of motion (ROM), muscle strength of the external and internal rotators, scapular position (SP), pectoralis minor length (PML), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), forward head posture (FHP) and pain pressure threshold (PPT) was performed before and after a 12- week intervention programme. The treatable aspects of the intervention programme were: strength of the rotator cuff (RC), ROM of the GH joint, stretching of the pectoralis minor (PM) and the posterior capsule of the shoulder, self-treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by manual pressure and correcting general posture.

Result

The results showed that at baseline, as well as after the intervention, muscle strength of the external rotators was higher within the hockey team. The external rotation (ER)/ internal rotation (IR) ratio and upward rotation of the scapula in 90° of abduction (ABD) was higher for the dominant side within both groups. Upward rotation of the scapula in 0° of ABD was higher on the non-dominant side within the hockey team. Post-intervention the rugby team had more ROM in ER in comparison to the baseline and compared to the hockey team. The SMBT was better post-intervention within the hockey team and the FHP was smaller post-intervention within both groups.

Conclusion

Our intervention programme gives promising results, however, more research is needed. The wheelchair athlete may possibly benefit more from an individual programme over a longer period of time. Other important contributing factors may be accurate information and motivation.

Method

For this cross-sectional, observational study, healthy subjects aged from 18 to 90years were recruited. The upper cervical range of rotation during the FRT was measured using a digital goniometer. Personal data including age, weight, height, and lifestyle factors were also assessed.

Result

A total of 230 (124 male) healthy, asymptomatic subjects, aged between 18 and 87years were included. Regression analysis showed that 27.91% (p<0.0001) of the variance in FRT mobility can be explained by age alone, while 41.28% (p<0.0001) of the variance in FRT mobility can be explained by age and total cervical range of motion (ROM). Normative values for different age decades were calculated using regression analysis. No significant influence of age on the ratio between ROM of lower and upper cervical rotation was found. There was no relevant impact of personal (gender, height, and weight) and lifestyle (smartphone and PC use) factors on ROM during the FRT.

Conclusion

Upper cervical rotation mobility determined by the FRT correlates strongly with age; hence, the results of the FRT have to be interpreted taking into account the individual age of the tested subject. The ratio between lower and upper cervical rotation mobility is maintained in all age groups.

Link to study online: here.

Method

The study consists of measurement with the DG and UG for flexion of the carpus and fetlock on ten horses, and with the DG in flexion and neutral positioning of the fetlock on a sedated horse and corresponding radiographs, intra- and inter-tester reliability and a survey on user-friendliness. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with a significance of p < 0.05.

Result

The study showed significant differences in range of motion for the carpus and fetlock joint, a 2–3° difference comparing measurements on a sedated horse with corresponding radiographs, a “fair” to “excellent” inter-tester reliability and a “fair” to “almost perfect” intra-tester reliability, and the DG was easier to use than the UG.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the novel DG may serve as a simple tool for measuring joint motion in equine rehabilitation patients.

Link to study online: here.