Reliability of range of motion measurements obtained by goniometry, photogrammetry and smartphone applications in lower limb: A systematic review

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies Vol. 42; pp. 793 - 802
• Main Authors: Canever, Jaquelini Betta, Nonnenmacher, Carolina Holz, Lima, Kelly Mônica Marinho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2025
• Subjects: Arthrometry, Articular - methods; Arthrometry, Articular - standards; Articular goniometry; Humans; Lower Extremity - physiology; Lower limb; Mobile Applications; Photogrammetry; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Range of motion; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Smartphone; Systematic review; Lower limb; Systematic review; Range of motion; Articular goniometry; Smartphone; Photogrammetry
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.01.009

To systematically review studies involving the reliability of the lower limbs joint range of motion (ROM) by goniometer, photogrammetry and smartphone applications in young and healthy subjects. The search was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 in PubMed, Embase, LILACS, OVID, and SciELO databases. Studies that evaluated the reliability of the lower limb joints ROM measurements. The studies were independently selected and classified by two reviewers according to the COSMIN checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was performed. Twelve studies were included. The intraclass correlation coefficient of ROM measurements ranged from 0.18 to 0.99 for goniometer; 0.78 to 1.00 for photogrammetry and 0.33 to 0.98 for smartphone. Number of goniometry studies included was higher than photogrammetry and smartphone applications studies. The goniometry showed the lowest reliability values. Photogrammetry obtained the highest reliability values, but its clinical application is not widely used. Smartphone applications are relatively new and have average reliability values. CRD42021225396. 1) Goniometry reliability is variable but could be useful in clinical field due accessibility and acquisition time; (2) Smartphone apps reliability range median-excellent but depends of cell phone size and acess/validation in some countries; (3) Photogrammetry is recommended for researchers due to better reliability but for clinicals require software’ knowledge and time; 4) We recommend familiarization of ROM techniques to reduce reliability variability.