Reliability and validity varies among smartphone apps for range of motion measurements of the lower extremity: a systematic review

Abstract The aim of this review was to determine whether smartphone applications are reliable and valid to measure range of motion (RoM) in lower extremity joints. A literature search was performed up to October 2020 in the databases PubMed and Cochrane Library. Studies that reported reliability or validity of smartphone applications for RoM measurements were included. The study quality was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool and baseline information, validity and reliability were extracted. Twenty-five studies were included in the review. Eighteen studies examined knee RoM, whereof two apps were analysed as having good to excellent reliability and validity for knee flexion (“DrGoniometer”, “Angle”) and one app showed good results for knee extension (“DrGoniometer”). Eight studies analysed ankle RoM. One of these apps showed good intra-rater reliability and excellent validity for dorsiflexion RoM (“iHandy level”), another app showed excellent reliability and moderate validity for plantarflexion RoM (“Coach’s Eye”). All other apps concerning lower extremity RoM had either insufficient results, lacked study quality or were no longer available. Some apps are reliable and valid to measure RoM in the knee and ankle joint. No app can be recommended for hip RoM measurement without restrictions.

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Movement Control Impairment and Low Back Pain: State of the Art of Diagnostic Framing

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina55090548 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (9) ◽

pp. 548 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Salvioli ◽

Pozzi ◽

Testa

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Movement Control ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Low Back ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Property A ◽

Rater Reliability

Background and objectives: Low back pain is one of the most common health problems. In 85% of cases, it is not possible to identify a specific cause, and it is therefore called Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP). Among the various attempted classifications, the subgroup of patients with impairment of motor control of the lower back (MCI) is between the most studied. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the results from trials about validity and reliability of clinical tests aimed to identify MCI in the NSLBP population. Materials and Methods: The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and MedNar databases have been searched until May 2018. The criteria for inclusion were clinical trials about evaluation methods that are affordable and applicable in a usual clinical setting and conducted on populations aged > 18 years. A single author summarized data in synoptic tables relating to the clinical property; a second reviewer intervened in case of doubts about the relevance of the studies. Results: 13 primary studies met the inclusion criteria: 10 investigated inter-rater reliability, 4 investigated intra-rater reliability, and 6 investigated validity for a total of 23 tests (including one cluster of tests). Inter-rater reliability is widely studied, and there are tests with good, consistent, and substantial values (waiter’s bow, prone hip extension, sitting knee extension, and one leg stance). Intra-rater reliability has been less investigated, and no test have been studied for more than one author. The results of the few studies about validity aim to discriminate only the presence or absence of LBP in the samples. Conclusions: At the state of the art, results related to reliability support the clinical use of the identified tests. No conclusions can be drawn about validity.

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Inter-rater reliability and validity of angle measurements using smartphone applications for weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measurements

Physical Therapy in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.09.002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 113-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Takenori Awatani ◽

Taisuke Enoki ◽

Ikuhiro Morikita

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Angle Measurements ◽

Motion Measurements

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Validity and Reliability of a Smartphone and Digital Inclinometer in Measuring the Lower Extremity Joints Range of Motion

Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine ◽

10.26773/mjssm.210907 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 47-52

Author(s):

Walaa S. Mohammad ◽

◽

Faten F. Elattar ◽

Walaa M. Elsais ◽

Salameh O. AlDajah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Low Cost ◽

Smart Phone ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Plane Motion ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Digital Inclinometer

In clinical settings, available valid and reliable tools are important components in evaluating the lower extremity range of motion. Although the digital inclinometer is highly reliable compared to the universal goniometer, its availability and high cost impede its extensive use. Nowadays, smartphone applications have become widely available to clinicians for assessing the joint range of motion. The present study aims to assess the validity and intra-rater reliability of the smart- phone application “Clinometer” for measuring hip, knee, and ankle sagittal ranges of motion, using the digital inclinom- eter as the reference standard. Active hip, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion range-of-motion mea- surements were recorded in 102 young, healthy female participants on two separate occasions using Clinometer and a digital inclinometer. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were used to evaluate the smartphone application’s validity against the digital inclinometer. To assess the reliability of the Clinometer app, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable difference (MDD) were used. Clinometer displayed excellent validity when compared to the digital inclinometer for hip and knee movements (r>0.90), while ankle ROM displayed moderate validity (r = 0.52-0.57). Additionally, Clinometer demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90) for hip and knee sagittal plane motion and moderate reliability for the ankle sagittal plane motion (ICC = 0.53–0.67). Cli- nometer is a portable, low-cost, valid, and reliable tool for assessing active hip and knee range of motions and can be easily incorporated into clinical settings; however, it cannot be used interchangeably for ankle measures.

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Reliability and validity of smartphone applications to measure the spinal range of motion: A systematic review

Expert Review of Medical Devices ◽

10.1080/17434440.2021.1962290 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shibili Nuhmani ◽

Moazzam H Khan ◽

Shaji J Kachanathu ◽

Mohd Arshad Bari ◽

Turki S Abualait ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Smartphone Applications

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Intra- and Inter-Examiner Reliability in Angular Measurements of the Knee with a Smartphone Application

Human Movement ◽

10.1515/humo-2017-0011 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Viviane Derhon ◽

Rafael Aparecido Santos ◽

Michelle Brandalize ◽

Danielle Brandalize ◽

Luciano Pavan Rossi

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

Joint Angles ◽

Intra Class Correlation ◽

Healthy Women ◽

Angular Measurements ◽

Intra Class Correlation Coefficient

AbstractGoniometric smartphone applications to measure joint angles offer greater practicality and accessibility, which makes them potential alternatives to a conventional goniometer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability in measuring the angles of the range of motion of the knee with the use of the ROM© goniometric smartphone application.The total of 34 young healthy women with an at least 20° limitation in knee extension range of motion participated in the study. Angular measurements of knee flexion in the dominant leg were performed with the aid of the smartphone application by three trained examiners for the evaluation of the inter-examiner reliability. The second evaluation was carried out after a 48-hour period for the determination of the intra-examiner reliability.The proposed method demonstrated excellent intra-examiner (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.80) and inter-examiner (ICC > 0.90) reliability, with good intra-examiner (The findings reveal that the ROM© goniometric smartphone application can be considered a useful tool for the evaluation of the knee range of motion in healthy women.

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Validity and reliability of Internet-based physiotherapy assessment for musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x16642369 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 379-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Suresh Mani ◽

Shobha Sharma ◽

Baharudin Omar ◽

Aatit Paungmali ◽

Leonard Joseph

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Diagnostic Reliability ◽

Scar Assessment

Purpose The purpose of this review is to systematically explore and summarise the validity and reliability of telerehabilitation (TR)-based physiotherapy assessment for musculoskeletal disorders. Method A comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted using a number of electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and CINAHL, published between January 2000 and May 2015. The studies examined the validity, inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of TR-based physiotherapy assessment for musculoskeletal conditions were included. Two independent reviewers used the Quality Appraisal Tool for studies of diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool to assess the methodological quality of reliability and validity studies respectively. Results A total of 898 hits were achieved, of which 11 articles based on inclusion criteria were reviewed. Nine studies explored the concurrent validity, inter- and intra-rater reliabilities, while two studies examined only the concurrent validity. Reviewed studies were moderate to good in methodological quality. The physiotherapy assessments such as pain, swelling, range of motion, muscle strength, balance, gait and functional assessment demonstrated good concurrent validity. However, the reported concurrent validity of lumbar spine posture, special orthopaedic tests, neurodynamic tests and scar assessments ranged from low to moderate. Conclusion TR-based physiotherapy assessment was technically feasible with overall good concurrent validity and excellent reliability, except for lumbar spine posture, orthopaedic special tests, neurodynamic testa and scar assessment.

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Reliability and validity of clinically accessible smartphone applications to measure joint range of motion: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0215806 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. e0215806 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Justin W. L. Keogh ◽

Alistair Cox ◽

Sarah Anderson ◽

Bernard Liew ◽

Alicia Olsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

Joint Range Of Motion ◽

Joint Range

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Strength training is as effective as stretching for improving range of motion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

10.31222/osf.io/2tdfm ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

José Afonso ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

João Moscão ◽

Tiago Rocha ◽

Rodrigo Zacca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Strength Training ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Pooled Data ◽

Hip Flexion

Background: Range of motion (ROM) is an important feature of sports performance and health. Stretching is usually prescribed to improve promote ROM gains, but evidence has suggested that strength training (ST) also improves ROM. However, it is unclear if its efficacy is comparable to stretching. Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of ST and stretching on ROM. Protocol: INPLASY: 10.37766/inplasy2020.9.0098. Data sources: Cochrane Library, EBSCO, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science were consulted in early October 2020, followed by search within reference lists and consultation of four experts. No constraints on language or year. Eligibility criteria (PICOS): (P) humans of any sex, age, health or training status; (I) ST interventions; (C) stretching interventions (O) ROM; (S) supervised RCTs. Data extraction and synthesis: Independently conducted by multiple authors. Quality of evidence assessed using GRADE; risk-of-bias assessed with RoB 2. Results: Eleven articles (n = 452 participants) were included. Pooled data showed no differences between ST and stretching on ROM (ES = -022; 95% CI = -055 to 012; p = 0206). Sub-group analyses based on RoB, active vs. passive ROM, and specific movement-per-joint analyses for hip flexion and knee extension showed no between-protocol differences in ROM gains. Conclusion: ST and stretching were not different in improving ROM, regardless of the diversity of protocols and populations. Barring specific contra-indications, people who do not respond well or do not adhere to stretching protocols can change to ST programs, and vice-versa.

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30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test: A Systematic Review of Studies, Examining the VO2max Estimation and Training Programming

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app112411792 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (24) ◽

pp. 11792

Author(s):

Mima Stanković ◽

Marko Gušić ◽

Siniša Nikolić ◽

Valentin Barišić ◽

Ivan Krakan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Team Sports ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Scientific Paper ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Fitness Test ◽

Intermittent Training ◽

The Subject ◽

And Training

This study presents an overview of current scientific articles that address the reliability and validity of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (30–15 IFT) as an assessment of aerobic capacity, as well as its use in terms of training programming. The search for and analysis of papers was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A database search was performed through PubMed, PMC, Med Line, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect, as well as directly from the author who first presented the IFT 30–15. Type of study: research was included in this paper on condition that (i) the original scientific paper was available in its entirety; (ii) the IFT 30–15 was used to evaluate or verify validity and reliability; and (iii) the IFT 30–15 was used for the purpose of evaluation of training programming. Of the 213 relevant studies identified, 21 were included in the quantitative analysis. All research was conducted on a sample of athletes who are exclusively engaged in team sports. As for the use of the subject test when it comes to programming individualized intermittent training to strengthen aerobic capacity, it seems that the IFT 30–15 test is appropriate and extremely useful for team sports. Regarding the reliability of tests identified in the reviewed literature, all studies indicate that the 30–15 IFT is a reliable test for assessment of aerobic capacity.

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