Validation of Virtual Wrist Range of Motion Measurements Using Video Coaching.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Wrist range of motion (ROM) is crucial for assessing wrist pathology.
• Traditional assessment uses a long-arm goniometer with established in-person reliability.
• Virtual assessment of wrist ROM has yielded inconclusive results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the validity and reliability of virtual wrist ROM measurements.
• To assess intrarater and inter-rater reliability using a video coaching method.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 45 healthy wrists.
• Three assessors (medical student, research assistant, upper-extremity surgeon) measured wrist ROM (flexion, extension, pronation, supination).
• Measurements taken in-person, same-day virtual, and repeat virtual via Zoom with a predefined protocol; analyzed using Interclass Correlation (ICC).

Main Results:

• In-person measurements showed good inter-rater reliability (ICC >0.75).
• Virtual measurements (same-day and repeat) also demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (ICC >0.75), comparable to in-person.
• Intrarater reliability was at least good (ICC >0.75) for all raters and ROM measures, with supination showing excellent reliability (ICC >0.9).

Conclusions:

• Virtual wrist ROM assessment using video coaching is a reliable method.
• Achieved reliability is comparable to in-person assessments across different rater experience levels.
• This virtual approach provides a valid and dependable alternative for wrist ROM evaluation.