Validity and reliability of ankle dorsiflexion measures in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE: We compared a goniometer method in a non-weight-bearing position with a tape measure method in a weightbearing position to determine which was more reliable for assessing dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured using goniometer and tape measure methods in non-weight-and weightbearing positions, respectively. RESULTS: In the test-retest reliability of ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a universal goniometer, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) varied from 0.75 to 0.96 and the overall ICC score was 0.91 (p < 0.001). In the test-retest reliability of ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a tape measure, ICC varied from 0.98 to 0.99 and the overall ICC score was 0.99 (p < 0.001). Ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a universal goniometer had a standard error of measurement (SEM) of 2.86 and a minimum detectable change (MDC) of 7.94. Ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a tape measure had an SEM of 1.01 and a MDC of 2.80. CONCLUSIONS: The tape measure method in a weight-bearing position was more reliable than using a universal goniometer in a non-weight-bearing position in children with CP.