What is HALO Goniometer?
Goniometer is a measuring tool used by the healthcare professionals to measure the range of movement of the body joints. It is crucial for the rehabilitation process after a patient sustains any injury to the bodies that affect movements, acting as an outcome measure that tracks the progression of the healing. For decades, traditional goniometer has been used for that purpose, where the tool typically consists of two arms; mobile and fixed arms, and a central point of axis for the reference point. The mobile arm will be moved along with the limbs to the end range of the movement and the angle will be measured.
The usage of this goniometer however has a major problem, which involves the accuracy of the reading. Repeated measurements may yield inconsistent results even done by the same person, and surely different people may get different readings, depending on the skill.
This is why the invention of new generation goniometer is phenomenal.
HALO medical device is the new generation goniometer invented for the purpose of better accuracy in joint measurement. A fusion of goniometer and inclinometer, this device highlights a major upgrade where its accuracy is within 1 degree. How awesome is that? Now colleagues don’t have to fight among each other about the readings anymore (if it happened before). Besides, it measures in 3 planes and can be used single-handedly thus the user can complete the measurement in any range within seconds. As a bonus, its compact size allows the user to bring it anywhere in the pocket while the sleek design gives its appearance a premium, professional and stylish look.
Its performance is not just talk. Research done has proved that this tool is reliable and valid as listed below:
1. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, School of Podiatric Medicine. Study Title: Intra and inter-rater reliability of the HALO digital goniometer and the tractograph in a podiatric setting: a comparative study
Authors: Claire Forde, Lucy Johnston, Emily Longo and Fiona Sherriff, A/Prof Jennifer Bryant
Abstract: Joint angles are commonly measured in the podiatric setting to determine the range of motion and position of a joint in order to make assumptions regarding foot function.
2. Bond University
Assessment of shoulder active range of motion in prone versus supine: a reliability and concurrent validity study James Furness BPhty, Scott Johnstone PT, DPT, Wayne Hing PT, PhD, Allan Abbott PT, PhD & Mike Climstein PhD
3. Hand Clinic Australian Physiotherapy Association
Measurement of wrist joint range of motion using the HALO digital goniometer versus the universal goniometer. A Pilot study. Hand Therapy The Clinical Research Institute
4. UNSW Medicine Prince of Wales Clinical Schools
Professor W.Walsh with Research Associate T.Wang. UNSW Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. Sydney, AUSTRALIA HALO the Digital Goniometer and Inclinometer attached to the Laboratory Robot for direct comparison of Robot Verus HALO angles.
Sources:
www.halomedicaldevices.com, as retrieved on 12th February 2020