Intra-examiner reliability of goniometer instrument for all active movements of cervical spine in asymptomatic young women

An important part of examination in patients with cervical disorders is measuring active range of motion of the cervical, particularly in evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. Goniometer is a common instrument in measuring range of motion. Easy working, easy carrying, and custom benefits make this instrument popular and common. This study was set out to determine the intra-examiner reliability of goniometer for all active movements of cervical. A total of 15 asymptomatic young women, aged 18-30 years old, volunteered for the present study. Voluntaries evaluated for all active cervical movements in three trials and 5 minutes rest time between the trials. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Standard Error of Measurements (SEM) were used to quantify intra-examiner reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for intra-examiner reliability of the gonameter were estimated to be 0.93 for flexion, 0.94 for extension, 0.92 for left lateral flexion, 0.90 for right lateral flexion, 0.88 for right rotation, and 0.89 for left rotation, respectively. Goniometer has accurate intra-examiner reliability for measurement of cervical range of motion of flexion, extension, right, and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation movements.