title: Upper limb joint position sense during shoulder flexion in healthy individuals: a pilot study to develop a new assessment method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Altered shoulder joint position sense (JPS) following shoulder injury has been demonstrated in the literature and may increase the risk of injury. A JPS assessment targeting the shoulder will provide the clinician with an objective marker. The present study aimed to develop an assessment method of JPS using an active relocation test (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 40 healthy participants were recruited. A laser-pointer attached to the index finger during an ART allowed measurement (mm) of JPS by measuring the distance between the target and relocated position. Participants were blindfolded and stood an arm's length (approximately 1 m) away from the wall. Whilst keeping the wrist in neutral and elbow extended, the participant actively moved to the target position (90° glenohumeral flexion), held for 5 seconds, returned their arm to their side and actively returned to the target position. A mean was calculated from three trials to provide an ART score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SD) dominant and nondominant ART score was 89.2 (SD 35.5) mm (95% confidence interval = 77.87 mm to 100.5 mm) and 94.1 (34.5) mm (95% confidence interval = 83.1 mm to 105.2 mm), respectively. Arm dominance did not significantly affect ART scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant difference was demonstrated between the dominant and nondominant arm using an ART assessing JPS acuity. Further studies are needed to establish inter-rater and intra-rater reliability.
authors: Perform Spire Healthcare, St Georges Park, National Football Centre, Needwood, Staffordshire, UK.
authors: Kerry
authors: K
authors: Glendon
authors: Clinical Sciences Building, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Hood
keywords: objective outcome measure; proprioception; upper limb