Measurement of force sense reproduction in the knee joint: application of a new dynamometric device

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of a newly designed dynamometric device for use in frequent force producing/reproducing tasks on the knee joint. [Subjects and Methods] In this cross-sectional study (Development & Reliability), 30 young healthy males and females (age 23.4 ± 2.48 years) were selected among students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences by simple randomized selection. The study instrument was designed to measure any isometric contraction force exerted by the knee joint flexor/extensor muscles, known as the ipsilateral and contralateral methods. Participant knees were fixed in 60° flexion, and each participant completed the entire set of measurements twice, 72 hours apart. [Results] The findings showed a good intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.73 to 0.81 for all muscle groups. The standard error of measurement and smallest detectable difference for flexor muscle groups were 0.37 and 1.02, respectively, while the values increased to standard error of measurement=0.38 and smallest detectable difference=1.05 for extensor muscle groups. [Conclusion] The device designed could quantify the forces producing/reproducing tasks on the knee joint with a high rate of reliability, and can probably be applied for outcome measurements in proprioceptive assessment of the knee joint.

Effect of a Proprioceptive Exercise Program on Force Sense for Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

“…FS was measured by the accuracy of the subjects for the reproduction of force tasks. The subjects were required to apply 3 single, strong voluntary isometric key pinch contractions, with 60-second intervals for 3 seconds with the dynamometer to detect the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) 20. Later, subjects were asked to exert only 50% of their recorded MVIC and they were asked to remember the applied force.…”

Test–retest reliability of tip, key, and palmar pinch force sense in healthy adults

“…Reliable test results allow clinicians to draw conclusions that are minimally affected by external factors, thereby reducing the chances of error. Previous studies have investigated the test-retest reliability of the force sense test in ankles [14], knees [15], hips [16], shoulders [17], and hand grips [18]. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the reliability of the pinch force sense test.…”