Validity and Reliability of 2 Goniometric Mobile Apps: Device, Application, and Examiner Factors

Abstract

This study identifies the error inherent in measurement that is independent of patient factors and due to the smartphone, the installed apps, and examiner skill. Less than 2° of measurement variability was attributable to those factors alone. The data suggest that 3 smartphones with the 2 installed apps are a viable substitute for using a UG or an inclinometer when measuring angular changes that typically occur when examining ROM and demonstrate the capacity of multiple examiners to accurately use smartphone-based goniometers.

The concurrent validity and reliability of the Leg Motion system for measuring ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in older adults

“…Wellmon et al (2015) suggest that there are errors inherent to measurement with smartphone apps due to patient factors, app domain and examiner skills. In this study, the muscle fatigue, the loss of balance and an altered biomechanic by age can also be predisposing factors, which may explain the absence of significant Pearson’s correlation coefficients on right side for the inclinometer app.…”

“…Smartphones are accessible and easy to handle devices, with inclinometer apps (Vohralik et al, 2015). Wellmon et al (2015) performed a validity and reliability examination of three different smartphones inclinometer apps (iPhone 5 ® , Samsung SII and LG). The interrater reliability (ICC = 0.995–1.000) and validity (ICC = 0.998–0.999) were excellent.…”

An observational study of the maintenance of the 30° side‐lying lateral tilt position among aged care residents at risk of developing pressure injuries when using the standard care pillow and a purpose‐designed positioning device

“…The use of this method was informed by the process utilised in previous research and personal correspondence with the investigator 10 and by evidence of an acceptable level of reliability and validity of the iPhone digital gravity inclinometer application when compared with usual measurement devices used for related purposes in health care. [18][19][20] Members of the research team piloted and refined the measurement process with three healthy volunteers in a laboratory prior to commencing the study. This involved confirming the process for identifying the suprasternal notch and the placement of the measurement device.…”

Validité et reproductibilité des applications téléphoniques pour évaluer les amplitudes de mouvement en pratique clinique : revue de littérature

“…L'étude de Otter sur l'hallux [16] utilisant une application goniométrique à partir de photos met en évidence une mauvaise validité (r=0.40) de la mesure de la position spontanée de l'hallux. Les applications angulaires sur smartphone peuvent être considérées comme valides et reproductibles lors de l'évaluation de la mobilité lombaire, du coude, de l'avant-bras et du poignet [12,13,21,[30][31][32]. Pour le genou, la validité et la reproductibilité intra-évaluateur est bonne [10,11,15,27], mais, l'utilisation entre différents évaluateurs est moins fiable, mais, reste supérieure à l'inclinomètre gravitaire [27].…”

“…Pour la mesure des amplitudes de mouvements, 3 types d'applications ont été testées : 1) les applications goniométriques [10], 2) les calculs d'angles à partir de photos [11] et 3) les applications inclinométriques [12]. Lors de l'évaluation d'angles fixes en bois, la validité et la reproductibilité inter-évaluateurs de ces outils sur smartphone s'avèrent excellente [13]. En revanche, lorsque les tests sont réalisés sur des individus, les niveaux de validité et de reproductibilité sont très variables, oscillant de mauvais à parfait [14,15].…”