Comparative Analysis of Measurement Methods: Reliability and Agreement of Assessment Tool for Upper Extremity Pathologies

Background: Upper limb extremity pathologies can arise from repetitive strain, trauma, underlying health conditions, or general wear and tear. Among these, musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent, significantly affecting the quality of life. The hand, being the most affected body part, often suffers as a result of pathology in any part of the upper limb. In rehabilitation, various devices and tools are employed not only to track recovery progress and restore motor functionality but also to predict health outcomes and status. Recent advancements have introduced numerous commercially available devices to healthcare settings. The reliability and validity of these devices are essential to support clinical decision-making. Methods: This cross-sectional thesis evaluates the reliability of rehabilitative devices for assessing pinch and grip strength and measurement tools for thumb range of motion (ROM). We conducted a quantitative assessment of inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, agreement, and validity within a population with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMD). Results: Our findings indicate that while digital devices show comparable reliability and validity to standardized devices, certain devices are not interchangeable. Compared to the standardized devices, the digital devices depicted a range of good to excellent test-retest reliability. In contrast, inter-instrument reliability between devices averaged between poor and moderate reliability. Additionally, among various measurement methods for thumb ROM, some demonstrate higher reliability and should be considered for clinical use.