Reliability of torque range of motion: a preliminary study.

The clinical reliability of torque range of motion (TROM) has not been tested. This preliminary review was performed to determine the intra- and interrater reliability of TROM. The proximal interphalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers of 14 normal subjects, 56 digits, were tested by applying extension forces of 200 g, 400 g, 600 g, and 800 g. Data were collected using both the hand-held Haldex orthotic gauge with the dial goniometer (manual) and the cantilever-beam force transducer and electrogoniometer (digital) as testing instruments. The testing order of digits, sides, and devices was randomized and tested separately by three different test teams. Results of the analysis of variance showed a significant difference of the means between raters at all force levels (p < 0.0001) and between instruments at 600-g and 800-g forces (p < 0.01). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient test, used to test the consistency, resulted in moderate consistency of measures of intrarater reliability between trials, and between instruments used (digital and manual). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated with results that were nearly identical to those of the Pearson. Intrarater reliability was in more consistent agreement at the 600-g and 800-g levels. There was significantly high agreement between the tests of tester B, compared with moderate correlations of the tests of testers A and C.

Update in splinting materials and methods.

Current hand splinting methods, materials, and components are reviewed and summarized. Additional subjective and objective tests of thermoplastic materials are performed and results combined with those from other studies. Available samples of thermoplastic materials are tested for fatigue and viscoelastic properties using standard compression cycling methods. Soft splint materials are seeing increased application and appear to be the material for the future.