The Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Figure-of-Eight Method of Measuring Hand Edema in Patients with Burns
Abstract
Objective: Water volumetry is considered the gold standard for hand edema assessment. This technique requires considerable time, staff, and specialized equipment. The figure-of- eight method for hand edema assessment has been tested only in the orthopedic population. The objective of this study was to test the reliability and concurrent validity of the figure- of-eight method of measuring hand edema in the burn patient population. Methods: We conducted a prospective blinded study with 20 burned patients (33 edematous hands) admitted from February to May 2005. Two testers performed three separate blinded measurements on each edematous hand, using the figure-of-eight technique. A third tester per- formed two measurements, using water volumetry. An independent investigator recorded all measurements. Intratester and intertester reliability were analyzed. Concurrent validity was examined and compared with water volumetry measurements. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the intratester reliability of the figure-of-eight method were 0.96 for tester 1 and 0.97 for tester 2. The ICC for intertester reliability of the figure-of- eight measurements was 0.94. The intratester ICC for volumetric measurements was 0.99. Correlation coefficient (Pearson's) for tester 1 was 0.83 ( P less than .01), and for tester 2, 0.89 (P less than .01). Conclusion: The figure-of-eight technique is a reliable and valid measure- ment tool for measuring hand edema. This technique is a more clinically feasible tool than water volumetry in the burn patient population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA627942
Entities
People
- John B Holcomb
- Steven Wolf
- Ted T. Chapman
- Travis L. Hedman
- William S. Dewey
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research