Comparison of goniometric measurement reliability of hip joint flexion and proximal interphalangeal joint flexion in healthy adults

Abstract

Background For many reasons’ physiotherapists measure joint range of motion of their patients. There are usually variations in measurement values of each motion when measured either by the same person or by different observers. Also, reliability studies have resulted in varying levels of reliability coefficients. The purpose of this study was to compare the goniometric measurement reliability of a complex joint represented by the hip joint and a simple joint represented by proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion motions and to assess whether the two joint motions could be equally reliably measured by the same person under the same test and retest conditions. Method Thirty-three healthy subjects between the ages of 23 and 34 years participated. In order to assess the repeatability of measurements in the two selected joint motions, the r. level of each joint measurement was determined and their goniometric measurement reliability compared. Result Results were based on data collected by measuring the flexion range of motion of right hips and right middle finger PIP joints in normal adults. Statistical analyses indicated that there were significant differences between goniometric measurement reliability in hip and PIP flexion motions. Conclusion Two joints were goniometrically measured by the same tester under the same test condition. Reliability measurements results were compared in thirty-three adults. Based on the study, the researcher concluded that the goniometric measurement of hip flexion motion is more variable than that of PIP flexion motion.