Figure-of-eight method of measuring hand size: reliability and concurrent validity.

The purpose of this study was to examine reliability and validity of a new method of measuring hand size in which a tape measure is wrapped around the hand in a figure-of-eight pattern. In the first experiment, two testers measured hand size in 60 individuals with no recent history of injury or surgery. Intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.99 and 0.97 indicated high intratester and intertester reliability. In the second experiment, concurrent validity of the figure-of-eight method was examined using volumetry as the criterion measure. Right hand size of 25 individuals with no recent history of injury or surgery was measured using the figure-of-eight method and volumetry. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.94 indicated high concurrent validity. This study demonstrated reliability and validity of the figure-of-eight method of measuring hand size. To establish clinical usefulness, these findings must be replicated in individuals undergoing hand rehabilitation.