The reliability and validity of joint range of motion measurement using zoom and a smartphone application.
Ryosuke Tozawa, Narumi Ishii, Ryo Onuma and 1 others
PMID 37405179WHAT IT FOUND
Measuring shoulder flexion range of motion via Zoom screenshots and a smartphone app matched 3D motion analysis closely in healthy adults.
The method showed high reliability and validity, offering a potential tool for remote assessment.
Key findings
01Intra- and inter-rater reliability for measuring shoulder flexion angles using Zoom and a smartphone application was very high, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.912 to 0.966.
02Angles measured via Zoom and the smartphone application correlated strongly with those from a 3D motion analyzer, with correlation coefficients of 0.955 and 0.980 for two examiners.
03Bland-Altman analysis revealed no fixed or proportional errors between the remote measurement method and the 3D motion analyzer, with minimal detectable changes of 4.4° and 3.2°.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 16 healthy young adults, so findings may not generalize to patients with pain, stiffness, or limited mobility. Measurement was restricted to shoulder flexion; validity for other joints or movements is unknown. Reflective markers were used to ensure accuracy; reliability may decrease if markers are not used or if clothing obscures landmarks. The method was tested only on automatic (active) motion, not passive range of motion. The study did not account for variations in internet connection quality or camera angles that might occur in real-world telehealth.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this method is accurate for patients with limited mobility or without reflective markers. The study used healthy adults and precise anatomical markers, which may not be feasible in typical clinical telehealth settings.