title: Measurement of force sense reproduction in the knee joint: application of a new dynamometric device.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of a newly designed dynamometric device for use in frequent force producing/reproducing tasks on the knee joint. [Subjects and Methods] In this cross-sectional study (Development & Reliability), 30 young healthy males and females (age 23.4 ± 2.48 years) were selected among students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences by simple randomized selection. The study instrument was designed to measure any isometric contraction force exerted by the knee joint flexor/extensor muscles, known as the ipsilateral and contralateral methods. Participant knees were fixed in 60° flexion, and each participant completed the entire set of measurements twice, 72 hours apart. [Results] The findings showed a good intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.73 to 0.81 for all muscle groups. The standard error of measurement and smallest detectable difference for flexor muscle groups were 0.37 and 1.02, respectively, while the values increased to standard error of measurement=0.38 and smallest detectable difference=1.05 for extensor muscle groups. [Conclusion] The device designed could quantify the forces producing/reproducing tasks on the knee joint with a high rate of reliability, and can probably be applied for outcome measurements in proprioceptive assessment of the knee joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Minoo Khalkhali
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Zavieh
authors.affiliation: Students Research Committee, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amirshakeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezasoltani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Science, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghadam Ali
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Talebi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Khosro Khademi
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kalantari
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, RSL Care, Queensland Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Vahab
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nedaey
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza Akbarzadeh
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Baghban
keywords: Knee joint; Proprioception; Sense of force