Authors' objectives: To assess the effectiveness, safety, and economic implication of digital goniometer.

Authors' results and conclusions: A total of 11 records were identified through the Ovid interface and PubMed, and 51 records identified from other websites. Seven duplicates’ references were found; 55 potentially relevant titles were screened using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 40 relevant abstract was retrieved in full text. After reading, appraising and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the 40 full text articles, 9 were included. Those were excluded as those primary studies were already included in systematic review (n=5), irrelevant study design (n=4), not relevant to DG (n=10), review articles (n=2) and funding bias (n=1). A total of nine full text articles were finally included in this review comprised of one systematic review, one prospective cohort study and seven cross-sectional studies. Efficacy/ effectiveness In general, evidence demonstrated that most of the studies identified that digital goniometer or smartphone goniometry application demonstrated between good to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability with other types of goniometers for variety of joints studied. Evidence demonstrated that the device has good validity against other types of goniometers. Safety There was no study retrieved related to the safety of the digital goniometer or smartphone goniometry application. Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA) requires the registration of goniometer for Malaysian market. US FDA classified goniometer as Class I and Class II device which are exempted from the pre-market notification. Organisational With sufficient training and familiarisation, handling of goniometer can be handled by new assessor. Economic implication There was no evidence retrieved on the cost-effectiveness or other economic analysis related to digital goniometer or smartphone goniometry application. Conclusion Universal goniometer, digital goniometer and smartphone goniometry application demonstrated good to excellent performance for measuring joint ROM except for cervical joint. No safety issue reported and no major economic implication

Authors' methods: Electronic databases were searched through the Ovid interface: Ovid MEDLINE and EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005 to 19th January 2024, EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Registered of Controlled Trials January 2023, EBM Reviews - Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects 1st Quarter 2016, EBM Reviews - NHS Economic Evaluation Database 1st Quarter 2016. PubMed, US FDA, INAHTA and general database such as Google Scholar were used to search for additional web-based materials and information. Additional articles retrieved from reviewing the bibliographies of retrieved articles. The search was limited to articles on human. There was no language limitation in the search. The last search was conducted on 18th March 2024.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/413

Year Published: 2023

URL for published report: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/413

Requestor: Physiotherapist

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Mini HTA

Country: Malaysia

Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229

Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS)