Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal disorders

Background: Proprioception deficiency of the knee is considered one of the most important signs that can be detected in the assessment of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Objective: To evaluate concurrent validity and reliability of smartphone application [android app clinometer - version 2.4 (16052510)] in assessment of active knee joint position sense in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: Thirty-two patellofemoral pain syndrome individuals (21 males and 11 females with unilateral symptoms with their age 28.15 ± 5.43 years were included in the study. Active knee joint position sense was measured by isokinetic dynamometer and by smartphone clinometer application at two different angles (30{u02DA} and 60{u02DA}) of knee flexion and the results were compared to examine concurrent validity of the smartphone clinometer application. Measurements taken by the smartphone were repeated on the same day by another experienced examiner to measure inter-rater reliability. After two days, measurements taken by smartphone were repeated by the main examiner to measure intra-rater reliability. Person Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to evaluate concurrent validity and Inter class correlation coefficient was used to evaluate intra and inter-rater reliabilities.Results: Smartphone clinometer application was valid in assessing active knee joint position sense at target angle 60{u02DA} but not at 30{u02DA} of knee flexion. At 30{u02DA} there was weak positive non-significant correlation (p = 0.67), (r=0.085), while at 60{u02DA} there was strong positive significant correlation (p = 0.000), (r=0.793). Intra-rater reliability of smartphone clinometer application at 30{u02DA} was negative weak non-significant (p=0.637 (r= -0.095), while it was positive strong significant at 60{u00B0} of knee flexion (p = 0.000) and (r= -0.914). Inter-rater reliability of smartphone clinometer application suggested moderate positive significance at 30{u02DA} (p = 0.000) and (r=0.695) and 60{u00B0} (p = 0.000) and (r=0.899) of knee flexion

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