Reliability of a new hand-held dynamometer in measuring shoulder range of motion and strength

Cadogan, Angela; Laslett, Mark; Hing, Wayne; McNair, Peter; Williams, Maynard

doi:10.1016/j.math.2010.05.005

« Previous Next »Manual Therapy
Volume 16, Issue 1 , Pages 97-101, February 2011

Reliability of a new hand-held dynamometer in measuring shoulder range of motion and strength

Angela Cadogan
- School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Mark Laslett
- School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Physiosouth, Christchurch, New Zealand
Wayne Hing
- School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Corresponding author. Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Tel.: +64 9 9219999x7800; fax: +64 9 9219620.
Peter McNair
- School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Maynard Williams
- School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Received 8 October 2009; received in revised form 14 March 2010; accepted 7 May 2010. published online 12 July 2010.

Abstract

Acceptable reliability is a prerequisite for inclusion of physical examination tests in clinical examinations of the painful shoulder. The aim of this study was to establish the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of measures of shoulder range of motion (ROM) and muscle force using a new hand-held dynamometer with the ability to standardize overpressure force during passive ROM tests. Forty consecutive subjects with shoulder pain were recruited, and tests were performed by two physiotherapists. Tests included active ROM elevation, passive ROM glenohumeral abduction and external rotation and resisted abduction and external rotation. All tests demonstrated high levels of intraexaminer reliability (ICC 0.85–0.99; LOA 6–24° and 1.1–7.0 kg). Highest levels of interexaminer reliability reliability were observed for measures of active ROM flexion (ICC 0.88–0.95; LOA 14–22°). Passive ROM tests demonstrated ’moderate – substantial’ interexaminer reliability (ICC 0.45–0.62; LOA 25–34°). The ICCs for resisted tests ranged from 0.68 to 0.84, and LOA ranged from 3.2 to 8.5 kg. Active ROM flexion demonstrated high levels of both intra- and interexaminer reliability. Measures of passive ROM and peak isometric force demonstrated acceptable levels of intraexaminer reliability.

Keywords: Shoulder pain, Physical examination, Reliability, Hand-held dynamometer