Inter- and intrarater reliability of the MicroFET5 inclinometer in measuring range of motion of the lumbar spine.

Nowadays in physical therapy it is more important to record progress objectively. Mobility is often measured with goniometers or inclinometers. It is difficult to measure the mobility of the lumbar spine by using a goniometer. The MicroFET5 is recommended by Biometrics as a new digital inclinometer for measuring range of motion. At this moment there is no information available of the inter- and intrarater reliability of the MicroFET5 for the range of motion of the lumbar spine. Several studies investigated the reliability of comparable inclinometers with a wide variety as result. The aim of this study is to investigate the inter- and intrarater reliability of the MicroFET5 inclinometer for the range of motion of the lumbar spine. The hypothesis is that the MicroFET5 inclinometer is a reliable instrument to measure range of motion of the lumbar spine.

The aim of the study is to investigate the interrater and intrarater reliability of the MicroFET5 inclinometer for movements of the lumbar spine specific flexion, extension and lateral flexion. The hypothesis is that the MicroFET5 inclinometer is a reliable instrument to measure range of motion of the lumbar spine.

There are two timepoints in this study; the two measurements. They will take place with exactly one week in between on the same time (+/- 1 hour)

All persons are contacted by the personal and professional network of physiotherapists working at SMC Papendal and of the HAN (hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen). After voluntary agreement the measurements will be executed. A short bout of 5 minutes bicycling and 5 different warming up movements need to be done as warming up. The test consists of active flexion, extension and lateral flexion in both left and right direction 3 times, all measured by two different testers. After every movement the NSR of pain and stiffness will be noted. All tests on one day take approximately 15 minutes. Data will be analyzed and compared to current literature. Persons will be tested two times with exactly one week in between.