Validity of an electronic pressure algometer

Abstract

Background: Pressure algometry is one of a number of outcome measures that manual therapy practitioners are able to use in both clinical and research settings. The pressure algometer is used to determine the pressure pain threshold of specific muscle and bone locations. Objective: To determine the validity of a commonly utilised electronic pressure algometer. Design: A repeated measures design was used. Setting: Biomechanics Laboratory, Victoria University, Melbourne. Methods: A total of 300 measurements were collected from the electronic pressure algometer as it was applied perpendicularly to an AMTI force plate. Thirty (30) measurements were taken at five discrete rates of application; 10 ..