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Multi-joint approach for assessing lower limb proprioception: Reliability and precision in school-aged children
Nina Jacobs1,2, Maud van den Bogaart1, Ann Hallemans3
1Rehabilitation Research Centre (REVAL), Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|March 20, 2025
Summary
This study found that using the best joint reproduction error (JRE) provides more reliable and precise joint position sense (JPS) assessments in children. This multi-joint approach is crucial for evaluating lower-limb JPS in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Motor control research
- Biomechanics and kinesiology
Background:
- Joint position sense (JPS) is vital for motor control.
- The joint position reproduction (JPR) method assesses JPS, but its reliability in children is unknown.
- Lower-limb JPS is critical for activities like walking and running.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and precision of a multi-joint JPR protocol for assessing lower-limb JPS in typically developing children.
- To determine the psychometric properties of JPR in a pediatric sample.
- To provide joint- and limb-specific reliability and precision metrics.
Main Methods:
- A standardized multi-joint JPR protocol was used to assess ankle, knee, and hip JPS in typically developing children (aged 5-12 years).
- Assessments were conducted on two separate days by a single rater.
- Three-dimensional kinematics were used to calculate mean and best joint reproduction error (JRE) across three trials, with reliability (ICC) and precision (SEM, SDD) analyzed.
Main Results:
- The best JRE (2.5°) was more reliable (ICC: 0.46-0.77) than the mean JRE (3.7°, ICC: 0.01-0.44).
- Precision metrics showed the standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 0.8° to 1.8°, and the smallest detectable difference (SDD) ranged from 2.3° to 4.5°.
- These values indicate that the best JRE offers superior reliability and precision for assessing JPS in children.
Conclusions:
- Passive multi-joint JPR is a reliable and precise method for assessing lower-limb JPS in typically developing children.
- Utilizing the best JRE enhances the reliability and precision of JPS assessments in pediatric populations.
- The study provides essential joint- and limb-specific SEM and SDD values for clinical and research applications.
