Open AccessA randomised cross over study to evaluate the performance of a novel ankle dorsiflexion measurement device for novice users
Author(s) -
Worsley Peter R.,
Conington Caitlan,
Stuart Holly,
Patterson Alice,
Bader Dan L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of foot and ankle research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.763
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 1757-1146
DOI - 10.1186/s13047-018-0286-x
Subject(s) - inclinometer , goniometer , medicine , ankle , range of motion , flex , reliability (semiconductor) , physical therapy , confidence interval , physical medicine and rehabilitation , mean difference , orthodontics , surgery , statistics , mathematics , power (physics) , geometry , cartography , physics , quantum mechanics , geography
Background The ankle joint is a common site of musculoskeletal pathology. Measurement of its functional range of motion is a primary indicator for rehabilitation outcomes in therapy settings. The present study was designed to assess reliability and validity of a new standardised method using a D‐Flex device to assess ankle range of motion. Methods A cohort of 20 healthy volunteers were recruited to measure the weight‐bearing ankle range of motion using three assessment tools, namely, a goniometer, inclinometer and the D‐Flex measurement devices. Repeated measures were performed both between and within observers for each device over a 48 h period. Performance evaluation of each device and their reliability was assessed using intra‐class correlation coefficients and Bland and Altman plots. Results Although significant correlations ( p < 0.05) were observed between devices, there were large mean differences in ankle range of motion values ranging from 4.3°‐15.7°. The D‐flex produced the highest inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability (ICCs 0.76–0.95), compared to values of 0.55–0.85 and 0.32–0.71 for the goniometer and inclinometer, respectively. The Bland and Altman plots revealed a low mean observer difference for the D‐Flex (mean difference = 0.7°), with the vast majority of data coincident within the 95% confidence intervals. For both the goniometer and inclinometer mean differences were higher, with values of 3.1° and 5.7° respectively. Conclusion The results of the present study provide evidence to support the use of the D‐Flex system as a valid, portable, and easy to use alternative to the weight‐bearing lunge test when assessing ankle dorsiflexion ROM in healthy participants.