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. 2012 Jun;7(3):306-13.

The reliability and concurrent validity of shoulder mobility measurements using a digital inclinometer and goniometer: a technical report

Morey J Kolber, William J Hanney

The reliability and concurrent validity of shoulder mobility measurements using a digital inclinometer and goniometer: a technical report

Morey J Kolber et al. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose/aim: This study investigated the intrarater reliability and concurrent validity of active shoulder mobility measurements using a digital inclinometer and goniometer.

Materials/methods: Two investigators used a goniometer and digital inclinometer to measure shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation on 30 asymptomatic participants in a blinded repeated measures design.

Results: Excellent intrarater reliability was present with Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC- 3,k) for goniometry ≥ 0.94 and digital inclinometry ≥ 0.95. The concurrent validity between goniometry and digital inclinometry was good with ICC (3,k) values of ≥ 0.85. The 95% limits of agreement suggest that the difference between these two measurement instruments can be expected to range from 2° to 20°.

Conclusions: The results cautiously support the interchangeable use of goniometry and digital inclinometer for measuring shoulder mobility measurements. Although reliable, clinicians should consider the 95% limits of agreement when using these instruments interchangeably as clinically significant differences are likely to be present.

Level of evidence: 2b.

Keywords: Goniometry; inclinometry; reliability; shoulder; validity.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
ACUMAR™ Digital Inclinometer, (Model ACU 360) Lafayette Instrument Company: Lafayette, Indiana.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Standard BASELINE® 12-inch plastic goniometer, (Model 12–1000) Fabrication Enterprises, Inc: White Plains, New York.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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