Reliability of Smartphone Goniometry in Measuring Range of Motion of Proximal Interphalangeal Joints of Hand
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: MethodsNine healthy volunteers above the age of 18 who consented to the study were selected.The PIP joints of each finger were kept at random degrees of flexion, and the angle was measured initially using a conventional goniometer.Photos were then taken with the same degree of flexion after removing the goniometer to measure the ROM using SG.Similarly, four fingers, except the thumb, were measured for all nine volunteers, which gave 72 pictures.To measure the degree of flexion, volunteers were made to sit with their forearm rested on a flat surface, wrist in a neutral IntroductIonGoniometer derives its name from two Greek words translating to "angle" and "measure."Studies suggest the usage of goniometry in 1835 in the field of surveying before finding its way into medicine.With technology and digitalization playing their role in medicine and every other field, they can also be integrated into goniometry in terms of smartphone goniometry (SG).Range of motion (ROM) is a key factor in diagnosing musculoskeletal and articular pathologies, for planning treatment, and for monitoring progress.The conventional technique is to take measurements using a handheld goniometer.Patients must come back to the clinic for this measurement, which can be a distant specialized facility.As a result, individuals can decline to attend postoperative follow-up examinations, which reduces the accuracy of the research due to follow-up losses.High-pixel smartphones provide a reliable way to evaluate the current ROM of finger joints by the patient or a friend, reducing the number of personal follow-ups needed.The therapist or surgeon can assess the ROM with the image of the finger taken by the patient.This is a significant advancement in the replacement of conventional follow-up exams, which saves money and time, particularly for individuals who require long-term follow-up.A recently published systematic review has shown that smartphone goniometer applications (SG) have comparable or better reliability and smaller measurement error in assessing ROM compared with a universal goniometer (UG) in large joints.[1][2][3] This study assesses the reliability of SG in measuring ROM of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the hand.
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7130521126