Introduction: Measurement is an essential part of all empirical social sciences and natural sciences. Everything that exists is in a certain amount. Goniometry is the most commonly used technique for measuring joint mobility. The extent of joint mobility is measured to detect limitations in joint mobility and to assess the patient's progress in rehabilitation. Because measurements are made multiple times and often by different physiotherapists, the reliability of the investigator and the instrument is therefore important. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work is to determine the repeatability and reliability of measurements of the active range of motion in the knee joint using digital goniometer. Methods: 40 subjects (21 women and 19 men) participated in the study, with an average age of 21.7 (1.1) years. Men were, on average, significantly taller, heavier with a higher body mass index. Measurements were performed in two sessions with an interval of 48 hours. Three consecutive measurements of the extent of extension and flexion mobility were performed in each session. Results: There were no significant differences between the sexes in the active range of motion of the knee in the direction of extension, but women had a significantly higher range of active mobility in the flexion movement in both knees. There was a significant difference in the active range of motion between the left and right knee in the direction of extension only in men, and in the direction of flexion in both men and women. In the repeatability test, the lowest value of the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.784) was in the measurements of the extension of the left knee joint in the first session, and the highest (0.952) in the measurements of the flexion of the right knee joint in the second session. Flexion measurements were more reproducible than extension measurements. When checking reliability, we obtained the best results if we calculated the average of three consecutive measurements. The lowest value of the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.649) was calculated in the measurements of the left knee extension, and the highest (0.893) in the measurements of the right knee flexion. Flexion measurements were more reliable than extension measurements. Discussion and conclusion: The digital goniometer is a simple and useful device for measuring the range of motion of joints, which is also suitable for beginners. In addition, it also allows data storage. Knee joint goniometry with a digital goniometer is a procedure with good to excellent repeatability and satisfactory to good reliability if beginner makes the measurements.
|
