Range of motion: Types

10.1055/b-0034-85227

Range of motion: Types

Visual estimation

Description

Measuring passive or active range of motion by visual estimation only, without a measuring device.

Interpretation

A qualitative assessment that is based clinical examination.

Clinical relevance

As this is a largely qualitative analysis, it is difficult to use visual estimation against population standards. However, it can be useful when evaluating serial measurements within the same patient.

Reliability


Population tested in	Interobserver reliability	Intraobserver reliability
Neck and radicular pain patients (N = 52) were evaluated by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and a physical therapist [1]	–	–
Patients with orthopaedic disorders of the cervical spine (N = 60) were evaluated twice within the same day by eleven volunteer physical therapists with clinical experience ranging from 2 to 27 years [2]	–	–

References:

1. Viikari-Juntura E (1987) Interexaminer reliability of observations in physical examinations of the neck. Phys Ther; 67:1526–1532. 2. Youdas JW, Carey JR, Garrett TR (1991) Reliability of measurements of cervical spine range of motion—comparison of three methods. Phys Ther; 71:98–104; discussion 105–106.

Goniometer

Description

An instrument used to measure joint angles.

Interpretation

Goniometers can be used to assess range of motion prior to an intervention, and then used again to assess range of motion after intervention to determine success.

Clinical relevance

Though there is some inherent intraobserver and interobserver variability, this is a more quantitative assessment than simple visual estimation.

Reliability


Population tested in	Interobserver reliability	Intraobserver reliability
Mechanical neck pain patients (N = 22) were evaluated by four physical therapists using a universal goniometer [1]	–	NA
Patients with anklyosing spondylitis (N = 44) were evaluated by a clinician nurse, rheumatologist, and trained medical student [2]	+	+
Healthy subjects (N = 100) were tested using a plastic goniometer by two physical therapists with 13 and 2 years experience [3]	–	+
Patients with orthopaedic disorders of the cervical spine (N = 60) were evaluated twice within the same day by eleven volunteer physical therapists with clinical experience ranging from 2–27 years [4]	–	–
Chronic low back pain patients (N = 34) were evaluated with a long-arm goniometer on two occasions 2 weeks apart by two observers [5]	–	–
A systematic review evaluating cervical ROM, single inclinometer, and EDI 320 in patients with non-specific neck pain	+	+