Smartphone Applications as a Suitable Device Comparing to CROM Device and Inclinometers in Measuring the Cervical Range of Motion in Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain

Background: Neck pain, as one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints, has great effects on disability and economical costs. The association between range of motion (ROM) and experience of neck pain and disability has been proven so it is important to use evaluation instruments for CROM in choosing beneficial treatment strategy and intervention quantification. Therefore, it seems necessary to evaluate reproducibility of current noninvasive assessment instruments in the patient population. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliabilities of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device as an acceptable clinical tool and iPhone smartphones as new available technology to know if its applications (clinometer and compass) could be reliable substitutes in measuring CROM in patients with neck pain.Methods: Twenty subjects (13 women, 7 men) aged 19 to 33 years with at least 4 weeks of neck pain experience were enrolled in the study. Measurements of neck movements, in each subject using 2 noninvasive devices in a random order, were performed.Results: The CROM device showed excellent intra- and inter-rater reliabilities in assessing cervical ROM except for right rotation which has moderate intra-rater reliability. Results of measuring cervical ROM using iPhone applications showed good to excellent intra- and inter-rater reliabilities. Based on validity results, the iPhone applications showed less difference from CROM device.Conclusion: The clinometer application of smartphones could be reliable in measuring frontal and sagittal CROM in patients with neck pain and in a sitting position.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cervical spine ، Range of motion ، Smartphone ، Reliability ، Assessment ، Neck pain