Reliability of the standard goniometry and diagrammatic recording of finger joint angles: a comparative study with healthy subjects and non-professional raters

Abstract

BackgroundDiagrammatic recording of finger joint angles by using two criss-crossed paper strips can be a quick substitute to the standard goniometry. As a preliminary step toward clinical validation of the diagrammatic technique, the current study employed healthy subjects and non-professional raters to explore whether reliability estimates of the diagrammatic goniometry are comparable with those of the standard procedure.MethodsThe study included two procedurally different parts, which were replicated by assigning 24 medical students to act interchangeably as 12 subjects and 12 raters. A larger component of the study was designed to compare goniometers side-by-side in measurement of finger joint angles varying from subject to subject. In the rest of the study, the instruments were compared by parallel evaluations of joint angles similar for all subjects in a situation of simulated change of joint range of motion over time. The subjects used special guides to position the joints of their left ring finger at varying angles of flexion and extension. The obtained diagrams of joint angles were converted to numerical values by computerized measurements. The statistical approaches included calculation of appropriate intraclass correlation coefficients, standard errors of measurements, proportions of measurement differences of 5 or less degrees, and significant differences between paired observations.ResultsReliability estimates were similar for both goniometers. Intra-rater and inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.69 to 0.93. The corresponding standard errors of measurements ranged from 2.4 to 4.9 degrees. Repeated measurements of a considerable number of raters fell within clinically non-meaningful 5 degrees of each other in proportions comparable with a criterion value of 0.95. Data collected with both instruments could be similarly interpreted in a simulated situation of change of joint range of motion over time.ConclusionsThe paper goniometer and the standard goniometer can be used interchangeably by non-professional raters for evaluation of normal finger joints. The obtained results warrant further research to assess clinical performance of the paper strip technique.

Evaluation of Three Different Phalangeal Motion Measurement Systems and Determination of the Functional Range of Motion

“…Literature sources often do not provide details on the measurement device applied and its possible effects on the natural motion of finger joints [9], [12], [16], [20]. Furthermore, publications addressing the accuracy of joint motion measurements [3], [4], [5], [11], [15] do not provide detailed information on the quantitative analysis of the motion of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal articulations. This knowledge gap can be eliminated by merging the results of the above two fields of study and by creating an accurate and complete measurement set.…”

A Combination of Manual Therapy, Movement Systems, and Biopsychosocial Approaches for the Treatment of Upper Limb Adverse Neural Tissue Tension: A Case Report

“…A standard finger goniometer was used to measure the patient's ROM. The intra-rater reliability of goniometric measurement using a standard finger goniometer are 0.89 for MCP flexion and extension indicating a good reliability [28].…”

“…Wrist extension radial deviation syndrome is often the result of an imbalance of strong extrinsic wrist extensors and weak intrinsic muscles of the hand including the lumbricals and interossei [29]. The patient may present with tight wrist extensors on the radial side of the forearm [28]. Furthermore, wrist extension with radial deviation syndrome can slacken the peripheral nerves and lead to neuropathic pain upon lengthening of the nerve during functional activities [28].…”

“…The patient may present with tight wrist extensors on the radial side of the forearm [28]. Furthermore, wrist extension with radial deviation syndrome can slacken the peripheral nerves and lead to neuropathic pain upon lengthening of the nerve during functional activities [28].…”

“…NPRS is a means of measuring patient reported pain on a scale of zero representing no pain and ten representing the worst pain experienced [28]. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the NPRS has been determined to be two points demonstrating that a two point increase or decrease in the patient's reported pain level is clinically significant [40].…”