scholarly journals Inter and Intra Rater Reliability of Different Measurement Techniques of Weight Bearing Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 4045-4050
Author(s):  
Aayushi Rathi ◽  
◽  
Priya Sahasrabuddhe ◽  

Background: Measurement of range of motion is a crucial parameter in the physiotherapeutic evaluation and follow up. Ankle dorsiflexion is important for functional activities like running, jogging, waking, stair climbing. Restricted ankle dorsiflexion is seen in various lower limb injuries. Therefore, assessment of dorsiflexion is important to assess function. Goniometer, tape measure, mobile goniometer, inclinometer is used to measure ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in weight bearing and non-weight bearing positions. Weight bearing dorsiflexion has reported higher intra and inter-rater reliability as compared to non-weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion. All these measures may be taken by the same and by different therapists in the management of one patient. Therefore, it is necessary to determine if the measurements used are reliable both within and between the therapists. Material and Methods: 50 healthy subjects were recruited and their role was explained in the study. Written consent was taken from all the subjects. Weight bearing lunge was done in which the subject was asked to stand with the heel in contact with the ground and the great toe 10 cm away from the wall and the knee touching the wall. Inclinometer, standard goniometer, mobile goniometer and tape measure were administered to check for ankle dorsifexion range of motion. Results: ICC for inter rater reliability was almost perfect for tape measure and goniometer (0.968 and 0.837 respectively) and it was substantial for inclinometer and mobile goniometer (0.746 and 0.796 respectively). ICC for intra rater reliability was almost perfect for tape measure, inclinometer and goniometer (0.965,0.894 and 0.837 respectively) and it was substantial for mobile goniometer (0.802). Conclusion: The inter-rater reliability of tape measure, goniometer is almost perfect and for mobile goniometer, inclinometer is substantial. The intra rater reliability of tape measure, inclinometer, goniometer is almost perfect and mobile goniometer is substantial. KEY WORDS: Dorsiflexion, Mobile goniometer, Tape measure, Goniometer, Inclinometer, Reliability.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
David J Dearlove ◽  
Ellesse Newman ◽  
Matt Zasada

Background/Aims Talus taping may be an effective physiotherapeutic treatment for equinus (passive dorsiflexion range of motion <10°). However, the time-course effects of this intervention are unknown. The aims of this study were to identify the effect that the application of talus tape for 48 hours during normal functional activities has on dorsiflexion range of motion, and to determine whether any changes in dorsiflexion range of motion persisted until 5 days after removal (study day 7). Methods A total of 16 healthy participants (mean age 28.3 ± 8 years) were recruited. Participants' were randomly assigned to control and intervention conditions. Baseline measures of dorsiflexion range of motion were taken in both ankles using the weight-bearing lunge test. The intervention ankle had talus tape applied, which remained in place for 48 hours during normal functional activities. To determine the time-course effects, dorsiflexion range of motion was reassessed in the control and intervention ankles immediately following removal of the tape (at 48 hours) and again 5 days later, on day 7. Findings Dorsiflexion range of motion in the taped intervention ankle increased significantly between the baseline and 48-hour measures. However, when reassessed at day 7, participants' dorsiflexion range of motion had returned to baseline levels. There were no significant differences in the control ankle across all three measures. Conclusions Applying talus tape for 48 hours during normal functional activities results in immediate but not long-lasting changes in dorsiflexion range of motion.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Romero Morales ◽  
César Calvo Lobo ◽  
David Rodríguez Sanz ◽  
Irene Sanz Corbalán ◽  
Beatriz Beatriz Ruiz Ruiz ◽  
...  

BackgroundNew reliable devices for range of motion (ROM) measures in older adults are necessary to improve knowledge about the functional capability in this population. Dorsiflexion ROM limitation is associated with ankle injuries, foot pain, lower limb disorders, loss of balance, gait control disorders and fall risk in older adults. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Leg Motion device for measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM in older adults.MethodsAdescriptive repeated-measures study was designed to test the reliability of Leg Motion in thirty-three healthy elderly patients older than 65 years. The subjects had to meet the following inclusion and exclusion criteria in their medical records: older than 65 years; no lower extremity injury for at least one year prior to evaluation (meniscopathy, or fractures) and any chronic injuries (e.g., osteoarthritis); no previous hip, knee or ankle surgery; no neuropathic alterations and no cognitive conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease or dementia). Participants were recruited through the person responsible for the physiotherapist area from a nursing center. The subjects were evaluated in two different sessions at the same time of day, and there was a break of two weeks between sessions. To test the validity of the Leg Motion system, the participants were measured in a weight-bearing lunge position using a classic goniometer with 1° increments, a smartphone with an inclinometer standard app (iPhone 5S®) with 1° increments and a measuring tape that could measure 0.1 cm. All testing was performed while the patients were barefoot. The researcher had ten years of experience as a physiotherapist using goniometer, tape measure and inclinometer devices.ResultsMean values and standard deviations were as follows: Leg Motion (right 5.15 ± 3.08; left 5.19 ± 2.98), tape measure (right 5.12 ± 3.08; left 5.12 ± 2.80), goniometer (right 45.87° ± 4.98; left 44.50° ± 5.54) and inclinometer app (right 46.53° ± 4.79; left 45.27° ± 5.19). The pairedt-test showed no significant differences between the limbs or between the test and re-test values. The test re-test reliability results for Leg Motion were as follows: the standard error of the measurement ranged from 0.29 to 0.43 cm, the minimal detectable difference ranged from 0.79 to 1.19 cm, and the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) values ranged from 0.97 to 0.98.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicated that the Leg Motion device is a valid, reliable, accessible and portable tool as an alternative to the classic weight-bearing lunge test for measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM in older adults.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11977
Author(s):  
Helena Zunko ◽  
Renata Vauhnik

Background Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measurement (weight-bearing lunge test) is gaining in popularity because it mimics lower extremity function in daily physical activities. The purpose of the study is to assess the intra-rater and the inter-rater reliability of the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measurement with a flexed knee using a smartphone application Spirit Level Plus installed on an Android smartphone. Methods Thirty-two young, healthy subjects participated in the study and were measured in four sessions by two examiners. One measurement was taken on each ankle in every session. Eight measurements were taken from each participant. A total of 256 were taken from all the participants. The measurements for the individual subject were repeated no sooner than 24 hours after the first session. In order to assess the reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error measurements (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) at the 95% confidence interval were calculated. Results Statistical data analysis revealed moderate intra-rater reliability for the right ankle (ICC = 0.72, 95% CI [0.49–0.85]) and good intra-rater reliability for the left ankle (ICC = 0.82, 95% CI [0.66–0.91]). Inter-rater reliability is moderate for the right (ICC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.52–0.86]) and the left ankle (ICC = 0.65, 95% CI [0.39–0.81]). Conclusion The observed method is moderately reliable and appropriate when the main objective is to assess ankle dorsiflexion mobility in weight-bearing when weight-bearing is not contraindicated. The concurrent validity of the Spirit Level Plus application is excellent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652
Author(s):  
David Hernández-Guillén ◽  
José-María Blasco

Abstract Background Ankle range of motion declines with age, affecting mobility and postural control. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a talus mobilization-based intervention among healthy community-dwelling older adults presenting with limited weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and determine how ankle mobility evolved over the treatment. Design This was a randomized clinical trial. Setting This study was conducted in an outpatient clinic. Participants Community-dwelling, older adults over 60 years of age who had limited ankle mobility participated in this study. Interventions The experimental intervention consisted of 6 sessions of manual therapy applied in the ankle joint. The control group received the same volume of sham treatment. Measurements The primary outcome was the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion as measured using the lunge test. Data were collected at 9 time points: baseline, after each session, and follow-up. Results A total of 36 participants were analyzed. A single session of mobilization increased ankle range of motion by 8 degrees (95% confidence interval = 6 to 11). At the end of the sixth session, this effect had increased slightly to 11 degrees (95% confidence interval = 9 to 13). Significant between-group differences were found throughout the intervention. Limitations Optimal dose and effects from follow-up evaluations for treatment volumes of fewer than 6 sessions remain unknown. Conclusions Six sessions of a talus mobilization-based intervention in healthy community-dwelling older adults found that the greatest mobility gain in terms of the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is produced after the first session. Additional sessions produce smaller improvements with a slight upward trend. Importantly, the restoration of joint mobility is enhanced over time after the end of the intervention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3759
Author(s):  
Carlos Romero-Morales ◽  
Carlos López-Nuevo ◽  
Carlos Fort-Novoa ◽  
Patricia Palomo-López ◽  
David Rodríguez-Sanz ◽  
...  

Ankle sprains have been defined as the most common injury in sports. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ankle taping for the reduction of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and inter-limb in elite soccer and basketball players U18 in a single training session. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was performed on 38 male healthy elite athletes divided into two groups: a soccer group and a basketball group. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM and inter-limb asymmetries in a weight-bearing lunge position were assessed in three points: with no-tape, before the practice and immediately after the practice. Results: For the soccer group, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for the right ankle, but no differences for the asymmetry variable. The basketball group reported significant differences (p < 0.05) for the right ankle and symmetry. Conclusions: Ankle taping decreased the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in youth elite soccer and basketball players U18. These results could be useful as a prophylactic approach for ankle sprain injury prevention. However, the ankle ROM restriction between individuals without taping and individuals immediately assessed when the tape was removed after the training was very low.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Hyeok Kang ◽  
Dong-Kyu Lee ◽  
Kyung-Hee Park ◽  
Jae-Seop Oh

Context:Ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion has often been measured in the weight-bearing condition in the clinical setting; however, little is known about the relationship between the weight-bearing-lunge test (WBLT) and both ankle kinematics and performance on dynamic postural-control tests.Objective:To examine whether ankle kinematics and performance on the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) are correlated with results of the WBLT using an inclinometer and tape measure.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:University motionanalysis laboratory.Participants:30 physically active participants.Interventions:None.Main Outcome Measures:The WBLT was evaluated using an inclinometer and a tape measure. The reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions on the YBT-LQ were normalized by limb length. Ankle dorsiflexion during the YBT-LQ was recorded using a 3-dimensional motion-analysis system. Simple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the WBLT results and both ankle dorsiflexion and the normalized reach distance in each direction on the YBT-LQ.Results:The WBLT results were significantly correlated with ankle dorsiflexion in all directions on the YBT-LQ (P < .05). A strong correlation was found between the inclinometer measurement of the WBLT and ankle dorsiflexion (r = .74, r2 = .55), whereas the tape-measure results on the WBLT were moderately correlated with ankle dorsiflexion (r = .64, r2 = .40) during the anterior reach on the YBT-LQ. Only the normalized anterior reach distance was significantly correlated with the results for the inclinometer (r = .68, r2 = .46) and the tape measure (r = .64, r2 = .41) on the WBLT.Conclusions:Inclinometer measurements on the WBLT can be an appropriate tool for predicting the amount of ankle dorsiflexion during the YBT-LQ. Furthermore, WBLT should be measured in those who demonstrate poor dynamic balance.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243646
Author(s):  
Laura Fraeulin ◽  
Fabian Holzgreve ◽  
Mark Brinkbäumer ◽  
Anna Dziuba ◽  
David Friebe ◽  
...  

Background In clinical practice range of motion (RoM) is usually assessed with low-cost devices such as a tape measure (TM) or a digital inclinometer (DI). However, the intra- and inter-rater reliability of typical RoM tests differ, which impairs the evaluation of therapy progress. More objective and reliable kinematic data can be obtained with the inertial motion capture system (IMC) by Xsens. The aim of this study was to obtain the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the TM, DI and IMC methods in five RoM tests: modified Thomas test (DI), shoulder test modified after Janda (DI), retroflexion of the trunk modified after Janda (DI), lateral inclination (TM) and fingertip-to-floor test (TM). Methods Two raters executed the RoM tests (TM or DI) in a randomized order on 22 healthy individuals while, simultaneously, the IMC data (Xsens MVN) was collected. After 15 warm-up repetitions, each rater recorded five measurements. Findings Intra-rater reliabilities were (almost) perfect for tests in all three devices (ICCs 0.886–0.996). Inter-rater reliability was substantial to (almost) perfect in the DI (ICCs 0.71–0.87) and the IMC methods (ICCs 0.61–0.993) and (almost) perfect in the TM methods (ICCs 0.923–0.961). The measurement error (ME) for the tests measured in degree (°) was 0.9–3.3° for the DI methods and 0.5–1.2° for the IMC approaches. In the tests measured in centimeters the ME was 0.5–1.3cm for the TM methods and 0.6–2.7cm for the IMC methods. Pearson correlations between the results of the DI or the TM respectively with the IMC results were significant in all tests except for the shoulder test on the right body side (r = 0.41–0.81). Interpretation Measurement repetitions of either one or multiple trained raters can be considered reliable in all three devices.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1317-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Hyeok Kang ◽  
Dong-Kyu Lee ◽  
Soo-Yong Kim ◽  
Jun-Seok Kim ◽  
Jae-Seop Oh

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0022
Author(s):  
Eric Folmar ◽  
Adam Thomas

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: A high prevalence of ankle sprains exists in athletic and non-athletic populations. White athletic tape (WAT), commonly used for prevention and treatment, provides ankle stability while limiting mobility. Athletic taping has demonstrated the ability to limit ROM in all directions, particularly ankle inversion, as inversion injuries represent a vast majority of ankle sprains. Use of kinesiology taping (KT) for the purpose of limiting mobility in the ankle has not been examined. While limiting inversion range of motion may be beneficial in prophylactic management of ankle injuries, limiting ROM in other directions may impact kinematics of other joints in the kinetic chain. To determine the effectiveness of an innovative KT technique for limiting ankle inversion ROM while allowing movement in the other movements of the ankle. Methods: Fifty-three healthy 18-25 year old college students were recruited for this study. Subjects received each of the taping conditions (traditional basket weave WAT, a novel KT method, and no tape) in a randomized order. Manual goniometer measurements were taken in non-weight bearing in the inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion directions. A handheld inclinometer was used to measure weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion. Measures for each were compared across each taping condition. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Results: Significant decreases in ankle ROM (p <.01) were observed in all measures between WAT and no tape. KT demonstrated significant decreases in all ROM compared to no tape (p <.01), except for a minimal decrease in weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion (p>.05). WAT demonstrated significantly greater ROM restriction in all directions than did KT (p<.01), including weight-bearing ankle DF. Conclusion: These results suggest that KT allows for more ankle ROM than traditional WAT in non-weight bearing and weight bearing measures, while still providing significant motion limitation in all motions except weight bearing dorsiflexion (in comparison to no tape). Limiting excessive inversion while simultaneously allowing closer to normal ROM in all other planes may decrease the risk of negatively impacting kinetic chain kinematics associated limited mobility of the ankle.


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