BACKGROUND: The universal goniometer is a simple measuring tool. With this review we aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the universal goniometer in measurements of the adults' elbow. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed and our study protocol was published online at PROSPERO. A literature search was conducted on relevant studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) scoring system. RESULTS: Out of 697 studies yielded from our literature search, 12 were included. Six studies were rated as high quality. The intrarater reliability intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.45 to 0.99, the interrater reliability ranged from intraclass correlation coefficient 0.53-0.97. One study providing instructions on goniometric alignment did not find a difference in expert versus non-expert examiners. Another study in which examiners were not instructed found a higher interrater reliability in expert examiners. One study investigating the validity of the goniometer in elbow measurements found a maximum standard error of the mean of 11.5° for total range of motion. DISCUSSION: Overall, the studies showed high intra- and interrater reliability of the universal goniometer. The reliability of the universal goniometer in non-expert examiners can be increased by clear instructions on goniometric alignment.
BACKGROUND: The universal goniometer is a simple measuring tool. With this review we aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the universal goniometer in measurements of the adults' elbow. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed and our study protocol was published online at PROSPERO. A literature search was conducted on relevant studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) scoring system. RESULTS: Out of 697 studies yielded from our literature search, 12 were included. Six studies were rated as high quality. The intrarater reliability intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.45 to 0.99, the interrater reliability ranged from intraclass correlation coefficient 0.53-0.97. One study providing instructions on goniometric alignment did not find a difference in expert versus non-expert examiners. Another study in which examiners were not instructed found a higher interrater reliability in expert examiners. One study investigating the validity of the goniometer in elbow measurements found a maximum standard error of the mean of 11.5° for total range of motion. DISCUSSION: Overall, the studies showed high intra- and interrater reliability of the universal goniometer. The reliability of the universal goniometer in non-expert examiners can be increased by clear instructions on goniometric alignment.
Entities:
Keywords:
elbow; goniometry; reliability; universal goniometer; validity; ‘range of motion’
Authors: L Brosseau; M Tousignant; J Budd; N Chartier; L Duciaume; S Plamondon; J P O'Sullivan; S O'Donoghue; S Balmer Journal: Physiother Res Int Date: 1997
Authors: Danielle Meijering; Alexander L Boerboom; Carina L E Gerritsma; Bertram The; Michel P J van den Bekerom; Marco van der Pluijm; Riemer J K Vegter; Sjoerd K Bulstra; Denise Eygendaal; Martin Stevens Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-05-05 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Renée Keijsers; Elisa L Zwerus; Dagmar R M van Lith; Koen L M Koenraadt; Pjotr Goossens; Bertram The; Michel P J van den Bekerom; Denise Eygendaal Journal: J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp) Date: 2018-11-29