M E Roebroeck1, J Harlaar, G J Lankhorst. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess clinically relevant indexes of measurement error of hand-held dynamometer measurements using a computer-assisted hand-held dynamometer (CAHN-DY). DESIGN: In separate sessions, different physical therapists performed repeated measurements of maximal isometric knee extension. SETTING: Four physical therapy practices and outpatient departments. PATIENTS: Consecutive samples of 30 male and 28 female patients aged 13 to 77 years, with isolated orthopedic knee disorders participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For intrarater and interrater applications, the standard error of measurement (SEM) and related 95% confidence intervals and minimal detectable changes were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the patients performed within the therapist's upper force limit. Variance between sessions performed by the same or different therapists accounted for a large percentage of the measurement error (70% to 81%). For single measurements, the standard error of measurement was assessed not to exceed 10N x m. Minimal detectable changes for different designs varied from 13.8 to 28.2N x m. CONCLUSIONS: The CAHN-DY facilitated standardization of test performance in a satisfactory manner, resulting in less measurement error compared with simple hand-held dynamometry.
OBJECTIVE: To assess clinically relevant indexes of measurement error of hand-held dynamometer measurements using a computer-assisted hand-held dynamometer (CAHN-DY). DESIGN: In separate sessions, different physical therapists performed repeated measurements of maximal isometric knee extension. SETTING: Four physical therapy practices and outpatient departments. PATIENTS: Consecutive samples of 30 male and 28 female patients aged 13 to 77 years, with isolated orthopedic knee disorders participated in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For intrarater and interrater applications, the standard error of measurement (SEM) and related 95% confidence intervals and minimal detectable changes were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the patients performed within the therapist's upper force limit. Variance between sessions performed by the same or different therapists accounted for a large percentage of the measurement error (70% to 81%). For single measurements, the standard error of measurement was assessed not to exceed 10N x m. Minimal detectable changes for different designs varied from 13.8 to 28.2N x m. CONCLUSIONS: The CAHN-DY facilitated standardization of test performance in a satisfactory manner, resulting in less measurement error compared with simple hand-held dynamometry.
Authors: G J Verkerke; K A P M Lemmink; A J Slagers; M H Westhoff; G A J van Riet; G Rakhorst Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 2.602
Authors: Ruud H Knols; Geert Aufdemkampe; Eling D de Bruin; Daniel Uebelhart; Neil K Aaronson Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2009-03-09 Impact factor: 2.362