Reliability of smartphone goniometer application and comparison of cervical joint range of motion measurements with traditional goniometer measurement method

In this study, traditional goniometer measurement results were compared to evaluate the smartphone goniometer application in cervical range of motion (ROM) measurements. In line with the purpose of the study, 50 healthy young volunteer individuals were included in our research. 30 (60%) of the participants were men and 20 (40%) were women. The ages of the participants included in the study ranged between 18-58 and the average age was 30.66±8.53. The Body Mass Index (BMI) value of the participants ranged between 18.94-32.87 kg/m2, and the average was 24.15±3.01 kg/m2. Measurements were made at Istanbul Gelişim University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department. In our research, demographic characteristics of the participants such as gender, age, height, body weight, and education level were recorded. In evaluating cervical ROM measurements, smartphone goniometer application and traditional goniometer measurement results were compared. In the first stage, cervical ROM was measured with a traditional goniometer, and in the second stage, cervical ROM was measured with a smartphone goniometer application for the same participants. All measurements were repeated three times for each participant and averaged. The findings show that there is a significant difference between the cervical extension ROM measurement results made with the traditional goniometer and the smartphone goniometer application, and technically the two measurements are not compatible (p<0,05). It is seen that there is no significant difference between the two cervical flexion, left and right rotation ROM goniometer measurements, in other words, the measurement results are compatible with each other (p>0,05). In conclusion, smartphone goniometer apps can be an alternative option to traditional goniometers, but caution should be exercised when using them. Physiotherapists need to choose appropriate methods to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of measurements and support their decisions based on current research in the literature.