Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the digital tool Easy Angle on its concurrent validity and interrater reliability measuring active and passive range of motion in people with hip osteoarthritis.

Background

Thirty-five subjects (20 women) were included in the study. Concurrent validity was compared with a goniometer. Inter-rater reliability was tested between two
experienced physiotherapists and included both active and passive hip joint movement in the directions of flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation in people with hip osteoarthritis. To evaluate the results Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman Agreement Test was used.

Study Details

Authors – Karin Fröjd, University of Uppsala.

Year of Study – 2016.

Number of Subjects – Thirty-five subjects (20 women).

Hip Osteoartritis

Results

The validity of the Easy Angle proved to be excellent (ICC2.1 0.85-1.0) regardless of the direction of movement in terms of both active and passive mobility. Also

inter-rater reliability (ICC3.1 0.83 to 0.96) were observed to be excellent at most testing moments apart from the active abduction and active external rotation, where the results were fair to good (ICC3.1 0.67 to 0.69). Generally abduction and external rotation showed the greatest uncertainty in the measurements according to Limits of Agreement (LoA).

Conclusion

The results indicate that experienced physiotherapists with high reliability and validity can use the digital tool EasyAngle for range of motion measurements in
people with hip osteoarthritis. Directions abduction and external rotation seems to be the movements that have the highest uncertainty in the measurements.

Hip Osteoarthritis study. The validity of the Easy Angle proved to be excellent (ICC2.1 0.85-1.0) regardless of the direction of movement in terms of both active and passive mobility. Also
inter-rater reliability (ICC3.1 0.83 to 0.96) were observed to be excellent at most testing moments apart from the active abduction and active external rotation, where the results were fair to good (ICC3.1 0.67 to 0.69). Generally abduction and external rotation showed the greatest uncertainty in the measurements according to Limits of Agreement (LoA).

Link to study online: here.