title: Comparing the reliability of a trigonometric technique to goniometry and inclinometry in measuring ankle dorsiflexion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of three previously used techniques for the measurement of ankle dorsiflexion ROM, open-chained goniometry, closed-chained goniometry, and inclinometry, to a novel trigonometric technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one physiotherapy students used four techniques (open-chained goniometry, closed-chained goniometry, inclinometry, and trigonometry) to assess dorsiflexion range of motion in 24 healthy volunteers. All student raters underwent training to establish competence in the four techniques. Raters then measured dorsiflexion with a randomly assigned measuring technique four times over two sessions, one week apart. Data were analyzed using a technique by session analysis of variance, technique measurement variability being the primary index of reliability. Comparisons were also made between the measurements derived from the four techniques and those obtained from a computerized video analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the rater measurement variability around the technique means revealed significant differences between techniques with the least variation being found in the trigonometric technique. Significant differences were also found between the technique means but no differences between sessions were evident. The trigonometric technique produced mean ROMs closest in value to those derived from computer analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of the trigonometric technique resulted in the least variability in measurement across raters and consequently should be considered for use when changes in dorsiflexion ROM need to be reliably assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Husson University, Bangor, ME 04401, United States. sidawayb@husson.edu
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sidaway
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Euloth
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Caron
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piskura
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clancy
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aide
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult