Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients

Introduction The use of smartphone technology and software (apps), in addition to an inclinometer and goniometer, has expanded the clinician’s assessment possibilities. However, the legitimacy and trustworthiness of these cell phones and applications are still questioned. This study aimed to determi...

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Main Authors: Nimra Ijaz, Saima Riaz, Tahreem Raza, Sidra Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Termedia Publishing House 2024-12-01
Series:Physiotherapy Quarterly
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Online Access:https://physioquart.awf.wroc.pl/Reliability-and-concurrent-validity-of-the-iHandy-level-mobile-application-to-measure,174496,0,2.html
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author Nimra Ijaz
Saima Riaz
Tahreem Raza
Sidra Ali
author_facet Nimra Ijaz
Saima Riaz
Tahreem Raza
Sidra Ali
author_sort Nimra Ijaz
collection DOAJ
description Introduction The use of smartphone technology and software (apps), in addition to an inclinometer and goniometer, has expanded the clinician’s assessment possibilities. However, the legitimacy and trustworthiness of these cell phones and applications are still questioned. This study aimed to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure the thoracolumbar range of motion in people with low back pain. Methods This descriptive study included 40 participants, of which 20 were symptomatic, and 20 were asymptomatic for non-specific chronic pain in the lower back. Measurements were taken for extension, flexion, and left and right-side bending range of motion (ROM). Two investigators were involved. One measured ROM values with a Samsung iHandy level and inclinometer, and the second investigator registered the data. Two values were taken and the mean was used for further analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline and one-week follow-up. Results In asymptomatic participants, the mobile application had ICC values of 0.81, 0.70, 0.79, and 0.85, while in symptomatic, regarding intra-rater reliability, these were 0.80, 0.78, 0.81Regarding the concurrent validity of mobile apps in asymptomatic patients, ICC values were 0.94, 0.93, 0.84, and 0.89, while in symptomatic patients, the ICC values were found to be 0.92, 0.89, 0.83, and 0.85 for flexion, extension, RLF, and LLF, respectively. These showed an excellent correlation between the inclinometer and mobile app regarding intra-rater reliability and concurrent validity. Conclusions iHandy level smartphone applications might be considered reliable and valid for assessing thoracolumbar motion ranges in individuals with chronic pain in the lower back.
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spelling doaj-art-6120fe6bf89b45ff9767607b83da83d02025-01-27T10:42:58ZengTermedia Publishing HousePhysiotherapy Quarterly2544-43952024-12-01324687310.5114/pq/174496174496Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patientsNimra Ijaz0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9525-1165Saima Riaz1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8852-5332Tahreem Raza2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2111-1431Sidra Ali3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0435-6234Riphah College of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, PakistanAyesha Bakht Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, PakistanResident at Riphah Rehabilitation Centre, Lahore, PakistanUniversity of Management and Technology, Lahore, PakistanIntroduction The use of smartphone technology and software (apps), in addition to an inclinometer and goniometer, has expanded the clinician’s assessment possibilities. However, the legitimacy and trustworthiness of these cell phones and applications are still questioned. This study aimed to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure the thoracolumbar range of motion in people with low back pain. Methods This descriptive study included 40 participants, of which 20 were symptomatic, and 20 were asymptomatic for non-specific chronic pain in the lower back. Measurements were taken for extension, flexion, and left and right-side bending range of motion (ROM). Two investigators were involved. One measured ROM values with a Samsung iHandy level and inclinometer, and the second investigator registered the data. Two values were taken and the mean was used for further analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline and one-week follow-up. Results In asymptomatic participants, the mobile application had ICC values of 0.81, 0.70, 0.79, and 0.85, while in symptomatic, regarding intra-rater reliability, these were 0.80, 0.78, 0.81Regarding the concurrent validity of mobile apps in asymptomatic patients, ICC values were 0.94, 0.93, 0.84, and 0.89, while in symptomatic patients, the ICC values were found to be 0.92, 0.89, 0.83, and 0.85 for flexion, extension, RLF, and LLF, respectively. These showed an excellent correlation between the inclinometer and mobile app regarding intra-rater reliability and concurrent validity. Conclusions iHandy level smartphone applications might be considered reliable and valid for assessing thoracolumbar motion ranges in individuals with chronic pain in the lower back.https://physioquart.awf.wroc.pl/Reliability-and-concurrent-validity-of-the-iHandy-level-mobile-application-to-measure,174496,0,2.htmllow back painrange of motionlumbar spineinclinometermobile application
spellingShingle Nimra Ijaz
Saima Riaz
Tahreem Raza
Sidra Ali
Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
Physiotherapy Quarterly
low back pain
range of motion
lumbar spine
inclinometer
mobile application
title Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
title_full Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
title_fullStr Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
title_full_unstemmed Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
title_short Reliability and concurrent validity of the iHandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
title_sort reliability and concurrent validity of the ihandy level mobile application to measure thoracolumbar range of motion in low back pain patients
topic low back pain
range of motion
lumbar spine
inclinometer
mobile application
url https://physioquart.awf.wroc.pl/Reliability-and-concurrent-validity-of-the-iHandy-level-mobile-application-to-measure,174496,0,2.html
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