TECHNICAL NOTES   Free access

Europa Medicophysica 2006 March;42(1):37-40

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

The compangle: a new goniometer for joint angle measurements of the hand. A technical note

Stam H. J., Ardon M. S., den Ouden A. H., Schreuders T. A. R., Roebroeck M. E.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The accuracy of joint angle measurement of the hand may be negatively influenced by joint swelling, deformation and other obstacles. We developed an alternative goniometer with clear ergonomic advantages, especially for the measurement of small joints. This new concept of goniometry is described and preliminary results on the reliability of the measurements are presented. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the standard error of measurements (SEMs) of the alternative goniometer are greater respectively smaller than a conventional goniometer, indicating a better intratester reliability.