The reliability of goniometric measurements of passive trapeziometacarpal joint motions

The purpose of this study were¹ to examine the intrarater and interrater reliability for goniometric measurements of trapeziometacarpal flexion, extension, abduction and adduction passive range of motion² to determine whether gender has any affect on trapeziometacarpal joint passive range of motion.

To determine the degree of intrarater and interrater reliability of passive range of motion goniometric measurements of trapeziometacarpal joint in male and female physical therapists.

Design. One time observational study.

Seventy six (50 females and 26 males) physical therapists’ trapeziometacarpal joint range of motion were measured. The testers were two masters final year physical therapy students.

Both testers measured goniometric measurements of passive trapeziometacarpal joint flexion, extension, abduction, adduction. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement were used to calculate interrater and intrarater reliability.

The intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated that intratester as well as intertester reliability coefficient was found to be good to excellent for trapeziometacarpal passive flexion, passive abduction, passive adduction, passive extension. The intrarater reliability was found to be consistently higher than interrater reliability. The results are further validated by the standard error of measurements. A significant difference has been found in passive flexion as well as extension range of motion of passive trapeziometacarpal motions between males and females.

The goniometric measurement of passive trapeziometacarpal motions is highly reproducible. Goniometric measurement could be used to determine the presence of joint range of motion limitation, to evaluate patient progress toward rehabilitation goals and to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.