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Reliability of measuring active mandibular excursion using a new tool: the Mandibular Excursiometer
1Post-Professional Master's Program, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, USA.
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
|March 1, 1997
Summary
The new Mandibular Excursiometer shows high reliability for measuring jaw movement. This tool can help track progress in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Biomechanics
- Medical Instrumentation
Background:
- Reliable measurement tools are crucial for clinical assessment and research.
- Accurate measurement of mandibular motion is important for diagnosing and managing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of the Mandibular Excursiometer.
- To assess the instrument's ability to measure mandibular excursion on the X and Y axes during active opening.
Main Methods:
- Two raters assessed 12 volunteers using the Mandibular Excursiometer.
- Measurements included vertical opening, lateral deviation, and deflection during active mandibular opening.
- Data were analyzed using percent agreement for various measurement scales.
Main Results:
- High intrarater reliability was found for vertical opening (100%) and lateral deviation categorization (92-100%).
- Moderate intrarater reliability was observed for the quantity of lateral deviation and deflection (66-83%).
- Moderate interrater reliability was noted for vertical opening (75%) and lateral deviation classification (91%).
Conclusions:
- The Mandibular Exsiometer demonstrates good to excellent intrarater and interrater reliability for key mandibular movements.
- This instrument offers improved reliability compared to observation alone for assessing TMJ disorder patients.
- The Mandibular Excursiometer can aid in documenting treatment progress for patients with TMJ disorders.