Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
Published on: June 12, 2019
Within-session inter-rater realiability of goniometric measures in patients with spastic cerebral palsy
Lauren Blair McWhirk1, Allan M Glanzman
1Physical Therapy Department, Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether appropriate inter-rater reliability of goniometric measurement could be achieved in children with cerebral palsy (CP) by a less-experienced and more-experienced therapist within the same session in a clinic setting.
Subjects:
Twenty-five children with spastic CP underwent goniometric measurement of their right and/or left legs (46 legs).
Methods:
Two pediatric physical therapists, with 10 and one year of experience measured five lower-extremity motions within the same session. Standard positioning, stabilization, and bony landmarks were reviewed before the study.
Results:
Interclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.582 (hip extension) to 0.929 (popliteal angle).
Conclusion:
Our data are in agreement with the literature on the reliability of range of motion measurements in children with CP. As a result, we were able to show that inter-rater goniometric reliability can be established between a less-experienced and more-experienced therapist within the same session.
