Feasibility and reliability of a web-based smartphone application for joint position measurement.
Bharadwaj Ravi, Manak Kapoor, Darren Player
PMID 33337502WHAT IT FOUND
The web app differed by less than 1° from device controls, and two iPhone apps showed small spread in repeated simulated knee-angle tests.
Devices were tested, not patients, and clinical use needs more research.
Key findings
01The Measure and PT Goniometer apps had standard deviations and coefficients of variance below one in repeated knee-angle measurements.
02The web app agreed with the dynamometer and inclinometer by less than 1° in repeated angle tests.
03The authors state that clinical use cannot be recommended until further research tests different joints, planes and people with joint pathologies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The measurements were made on devices at preset angles, not on people with joint disease. The same tester took all measurements on the same day, so agreement between different clinicians and day-to-day variability are unknown. The tests used preset angles, not natural joint movement, and only knee extension angles from 90° to 165° were assessed in the first two phases. The web app data had to be standardized for analysis, including setting the app to 0° and matching it to the dynamometer. The authors state that further research is needed in different joints, planes and people with joint pathologies before clinical use can be recommended.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these apps are ready for routine patient measurement. The study tested devices at preset angles, used the same tester on the same day, did not test people with joint pathologies, and the authors state that further research is needed before clinical use can be recommended.