Reliability and validity of a “WE-CAP” device for measurement of cervical range of motion

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to evaluate reliability and validity of a new device (WE-CAP) for measurement of cervical range of motion. Test-retest reliability of measurements in twenty healthy subjects (8 men and 12 women; mean age 29.1± 4.27 years) participated.  A standard goniometer for measuring cervical range of motion (CROM) was chosen for comparison with the WE-CAP. Active cervical range of motion in all directions including flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion were measured 3 times.  After 5 minutes rest, the subjects were measured again with the same protocol.  Analysis using intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), standard error of measurements (SEMs), Pearson’s correlation coefficient  Result found that both devices had high reliability (ICCs > 0.92 for all directions), (%CV) of less than 8%, SEMs of less than 0.94.  The agreement of measurements between the two devices was high (Pearson’s correlation coefficient > 0.93).  It is concluded that the measurement of cervical range of motion using WE-CAP has high reliability and validity. This device could be used in clinical setting.