Physiotherapy theory and practice
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Physiother Theory Pract · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyReliability of shoulder range of motion comparing a goniometer to a digital level.
The clinical use of digital levels, for joint measurement, may be a viable alternative to standard goniometry. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and intertester reliability of a construction grade digital level compared to the standard universal goniometer for measurements for active assisted shoulder range of motion (ROM). Two experienced physical therapists measured shoulder flexion, external rotation (ER), and internal rotation (IR) ROM bilaterally, on two different occasions, in 20 patients (9 males, 11 females, 18-79 years old) with unilateral shoulder pathology, using a goniometer and a digital level. ⋯ On the basis of the average intratester LOA for the goniometer and the digital level, a change of 6-11 degrees is needed to be certain that true change has occurred. For comparison of measures made by two different therapists, a change is of 15 degrees is required to be certain a true change has occurred. A digital level can be used to reliably measure shoulder ROM but should not be used interchangeably with a standard goniometer.