The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design
# Background Stability of the knee is dependent on multiple factors including integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Greater knee joint laxity appears to negatively affect dynamic joint function and therefore reliable and valid measures of ACL stiffness and laxity are clinically valuabl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2022-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.38252 |
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| _version_ | 1825197026540781568 |
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| author | Kayla Smith Nicole Miller Steve Laslovich |
| author_facet | Kayla Smith Nicole Miller Steve Laslovich |
| author_sort | Kayla Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Stability of the knee is dependent on multiple factors including integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Greater knee joint laxity appears to negatively affect dynamic joint function and therefore reliable and valid measures of ACL stiffness and laxity are clinically valuable.
# Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the GENOUROB, (GNRB®) knee arthrometer device in measuring both stiffness and laxity of the ACL, and to provide information on sample size calculation for future clinical trials.
# Study Design
Cross-sectional test-retest study
# Method
Twelve healthy student participants (age 24-30 years; 6 females and 6 males) completed testing on two different testing dates. Anterior tibial translation and stiffness were measured using the GNRB® device at forces of 134N and 200N. Reliability analyses were performed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). SEM, MDC, and sample size calculations were also determined.
# Results
Average anterior tibial displacements of 3.63mm and 5.32mm were found for 134N and 200N of force respectively. ICC values for intra-rater, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability were similar across measures of anterior tibial translation and stiffness, ranging from .72 to .83 (95% CI: .54 to .90). The standard error of measurement (SEM) for anterior tibial stiffness ranged from 3.47 mm/N to 3.76 mm/N. Minimal detectable change (MDC) for test-retest anterior tibial stiffness was 9.6 mm/N. Sample sizes for crossover and parallel design studies were determined.
# Conclusion
ACL laxity and stiffness measures were found to be reliably obtainable using the GNRB® knee arthrometer under the strict control of the individual's alignment to the device and patellar pad forces. Reliable laxity and stiffness values may assist practitioners in clinical reasoning and the development of individualized ACL rehabilitation programs. Additionally, the sample size calculations presented may aid in future research design.
# Level of Evidence
3 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-95861a00b7ab4318b4a9e4980d588916 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-95861a00b7ab4318b4a9e4980d5889162025-02-11T20:28:05ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962022-10-01176The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial DesignKayla SmithNicole MillerSteve Laslovich# Background Stability of the knee is dependent on multiple factors including integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Greater knee joint laxity appears to negatively affect dynamic joint function and therefore reliable and valid measures of ACL stiffness and laxity are clinically valuable. # Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the GENOUROB, (GNRB®) knee arthrometer device in measuring both stiffness and laxity of the ACL, and to provide information on sample size calculation for future clinical trials. # Study Design Cross-sectional test-retest study # Method Twelve healthy student participants (age 24-30 years; 6 females and 6 males) completed testing on two different testing dates. Anterior tibial translation and stiffness were measured using the GNRB® device at forces of 134N and 200N. Reliability analyses were performed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). SEM, MDC, and sample size calculations were also determined. # Results Average anterior tibial displacements of 3.63mm and 5.32mm were found for 134N and 200N of force respectively. ICC values for intra-rater, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability were similar across measures of anterior tibial translation and stiffness, ranging from .72 to .83 (95% CI: .54 to .90). The standard error of measurement (SEM) for anterior tibial stiffness ranged from 3.47 mm/N to 3.76 mm/N. Minimal detectable change (MDC) for test-retest anterior tibial stiffness was 9.6 mm/N. Sample sizes for crossover and parallel design studies were determined. # Conclusion ACL laxity and stiffness measures were found to be reliably obtainable using the GNRB® knee arthrometer under the strict control of the individual's alignment to the device and patellar pad forces. Reliable laxity and stiffness values may assist practitioners in clinical reasoning and the development of individualized ACL rehabilitation programs. Additionally, the sample size calculations presented may aid in future research design. # Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.38252 |
| spellingShingle | Kayla Smith Nicole Miller Steve Laslovich The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design |
| title_full | The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design |
| title_fullStr | The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design |
| title_short | The Reliability of the GNRB® Knee Arthrometer in Measuring ACL Stiffness and Laxity: Implications for Clinical Use and Clinical Trial Design |
| title_sort | reliability of the gnrb r knee arthrometer in measuring acl stiffness and laxity implications for clinical use and clinical trial design |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.38252 |
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