Inter- and intra-rater reliability of computerized photogrammetry and universal goniometer in the measurement of hip flexion and abduction

Assessment of Agreement Between a New Application to Compute the Wisconsin Gait Score and 3-Dimensional Gait Analysis, and Reliability of the Application in Stroke Patients

Currently, there are no computerized tools enabling objective interpretation of observational gait assessment based on Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS), which is a reliable and well-tested tool. The solution envisaged by us may provide a practical tool for assessing gait deviations in patients with hemiparesis after stroke. The present study assessed agreement between a new application software for computerized WGS and 3-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA), and reliability of the application. The study involved 33 individuals with hemiparesis after stroke. The software was developed based on a model designed taking into account components of the WGS and incorporating auxiliary lines passing through the relevant anthropometric points on the patient’s body, as well as measurements of angular values, distances and duration of the specific gait phases, which make it possible to substantiate assessment based on this scale. Series of videos were made to record gait of the qualified patients. After the gait evaluation was carried out using the app, the data were retrieved from the software. The gait assessment was performed separately by three independent examiners who reviewed the video recording using the new app twice (two weeks apart). Additionally, 3DGA was carried out for all the subjects, and the results of the app-aided assessment were compared to those acquired using 3DGA. The findings show statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between majority of the WGS items measured using the new app, and the relevant spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters identified by 3DGA. Agreement between the scores reported by the three examiners was high in both measurements, as reflected by Cronbach’s alpha exceeding 0.8. The findings reflect very good intra-observer reliability (as reflected by kappa coefficients from 0.847 to 1) and inter-observer reliability (as reflected by kappa coefficients from 0.634 to 1) of the new application software for computerized WGS. The opportunities offered by the observational gait scale objectified through our new software for computerized WGS result from the fact that the tool provides a useful low-cost and time-effective feedback to monitor ongoing treatments or formulate hypotheses.

MEASUREMENT OF PELVIC RETROVERSION DURING HIP FLEXION: EVALUATION WITH ACCELEROMETERS

Objective:

To quantify pelvic retroversion during clinical evaluation of hip flexion with accelerometers and to verify the reliability of these sensors to measure hip flexion.

Methods:

An accelerometer was positioned laterally in the pelvis to measure pelvic retroversion. Another accelerometer was positioned anteriorly on the thigh to evaluate hip flexion amplitude. The evaluations were performed with volunteers in supine position by three raters. For evaluation of pelvic retroversion, the mean ± SD (minimum-maximum) was calculated. Reliability of the accelerometer between raters was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The linear correlation coefficient between hip flexion was determined by using goniometer and accelerometer.

Results:

The mean pelvic retroversion was 7.3° ± 0.93° (6°-11°) in the clinical limit of the hip range of motion, which was 106.25° ± 10.46° (93°-130°). The ICC between two raters were 0.60, 0.71 and 0.74 (goniometer) and 0.46, 0.71 and 0.83 (accelerometer). The linear correlation between hip flexion measurements with goniometer and accelerometer was 0.87.

Conclusion:

During clinical evaluation of the final range of hip flexion, there was an associated pelvic movement of approximately 7.3º. Accelerometers have proven to be reliable for measurement of hip flexion. Level of Evidence III, Study of nonconsecutive patients with no gold reference standard applied uniformly.

Evidence for the therapeutic effect of the organic content in Szigetvár thermal water on osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial

The therapeutic effects of mineral waters have been attributed to the inorganic components alone; however, biologically active organic components are also present. We aimed to investigate whether the healing effect of Szigetvár thermal mineral water could relate to the organic matter in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hips and the knees. XAD macroreticular resins were used to prepare the organic fraction. Patients received a 30-min thermal water (34 °C) treatment in a bath tub, five times a week for 3 weeks. After randomization, patients were divided into three groups: tap water, mineral water, and organic fraction group. Primary outcomes were range of movement (ROM), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain severity, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used. These scores and indices were measured at baseline, after the last treatment, and at the end of the 3-month follow-up period. Seventy-four patients (age 67.3 ± 4.48 years) were enrolled: tap water n = 24, mineral water n = 26, and organic fraction n = 24. Treatment with the redissolved organic fraction significantly improved ROM, WOMAC, and SF-36 scores compared to the tap water. Our clinical trial provided evidence for the beneficial health effects of the organic fraction of Szigetvár medicinal water.