These authors sought to investigate the accuracy and reliability of a remote on-screen application(app)-based method of shoulder ROM measurement through telehealth medium.
Their cohort consisted of 24 healthy volunteers and 16 symptomatic patients with shoulder range of motion (ROM) deficits. The shoulder ROM was first examined physically using the goniometer in the clinic and then over the Zoom remote conferencing using the protractor extension app of the chrome browser.
Comparison of the two methods showed only minor mean differences for the healthy volunteers and the patients.
They concluded that their protractor app-based method of measuring shoulder ROM over telehealth was accurate and reliable compared to the clinical goniometer method.
Comment: Monitoring the progress of shoulder range of motion is important in determining a patient's response to physical therapy and surgery. Developing a reproducible monitoring system that does not require the patient to return to the office saves the patient time and money and reduces the risk of travel.
We have found that having the patient, family, or friend email us photos of the arm in selected positions is very helpful in tracking motion for frozen shoulder and post joint replacement rehabilitation. Here are the figures we send to patients, asking them to put the arm as far in the indicated direction as possible. By keeping the photos on file we can monitor their progress. The advantage of this system is that the patient need not be connected to us real-time via telehealth, but can send us the photos at whatever time works for them.
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