Desenvolvimento de goniômetro digital para mensuração de amplitude articular

Abstract

Goniometry refers to the technique used for angular measures. In the health system area such technique is applied in the assessment of the joint mobility through measuring the range of motion (ROM). In clinical practice, there are several instruments that are used for this purpose, such as: visual estimation, fleximeter, computerized photogrammetry, among others. However, the universal goniometer has been considered the first-choice instrument in the verification of ROM for decades because of its advantages such as reliability, low cost, durability and simplicity in handling. Despite this, it also has limitations, since the accuracy of measurements depends on standardized techniques, in addition to being directly proportional to the examiner's skill and experience. For this reason, it is common for inexperienced examiners to find difficulty performing the procedure, which may interfere with the reliability of the measurements. In this context, this research aimed to build a prototype of a digital goniometer using low-cost electronic components in order to make the goniometry process easier and more accurate. This study comprises an applied research of literature review and experimental character, focusing on the search for low-cost electromechanical components that would enable the construction of the prototype and the programming for the operation of the prototype and performance evaluation in order to compare the prototype results to those of the UG. During the performance evaluation, the equipment presented very different results from the UG, with poor intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0,282) when comparing the two devices, pointing out the need for improvements in the programming and revision of the physical structure of the circuit, in order to make the measurement results equivalent to the UG results.