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. 2024 Aug 19;25(1):651.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07775-6.

Goniometry and fleximetry measurements to assess cervical range of motion in individuals with chronic neck pain: a validity and reliability study

Gabriel Gardhel Costa Araujo  1   2 , André Pontes-Silva  3 , Plínio da Cunha Leal  1   4 , Bruno Sousa Gomes  2 , Maisa Lopes Reis  2 , Sâmira Kennia de Mello Pereira Lima  2 , Cid André Fidelis-de-Paula-Gomes  5 , Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho  1   4
Affiliations

Goniometry and fleximetry measurements to assess cervical range of motion in individuals with chronic neck pain: a validity and reliability study

Gabriel Gardhel Costa Araujo et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of goniometry and fleximetry in measuring cervical range of motion in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Methods: A reliability study. Thirty individuals with chronic neck pain were selected. Cervical range of motion was measured by goniometry and fleximetry at two time points 7 days apart. To characterize the sample, we used the numerical pain rating scale, Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale, and Neck Disability Index. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Correlations between goniometry and fleximetry measurements were performed using Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho).

Results: For goniometry, we found excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ≥ 0.986, SEM ≤ 1.89%, MDC ≤ 5.23%) and inter-rater reliability (ICC ≥ 0.947, SEM ≤ 3.91%, MDC ≤ 10.84%). Similarly, we found excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ≥ 0.969, SEM ≤ 2.71%, MDC ≤ 7.52%) and inter-rater reliability (ICC ≥ 0.981, SEM ≤ 1.88%, MDC ≤ 5.20%) for fleximetry. Finally, we observed a strong correlation between the goniometry and the fleximetry for all cervical movements (rho ≥ 0.993).

Conclusion: Goniometry and fleximetry measurements are reliable for assessing cervical range of motion in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Keywords: Articular; Reproducibility of Results; Chronic Pain; Spine; Range of Motion.

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Conflict of interest statement

AVDF, AP-S, and CAFPG are associate editors and peer reviewers of the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The other authors have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart for data collection. NPRS: Numerical pain rating scale; PCTS: Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale; NDI: Neck Disability Index; BHPAQ: Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire (BHPAQ); ROM: Range of motion
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Measurements with goniometer of range of motion for flexion (A), extension (B), rotation to the right (C), lateral flexion to the right (D), lateral flexion to the left (E), and rotation to the left (F). Before and during the movements, all individuals were instructed not to compensate the movement with the trunk (thoracolumbar region), thus isolating the movement specifically to the cervical region
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Measurements with fleximetry of range of motion for flexion (A), lateral flexion to the right (B), rotation to the left (C), extension (D), lateral flexion to the left (E), and rotation to the right (C). Before and during the movements, all individuals were instructed not to compensate the movement with the trunk (thoracolumbar region), thus isolating the movement specifically to the cervical region
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