Sphygmomanometer test to evaluate muscle strength in individuals with lower limb amputation: validity and reliability

• Published in: Fisioterapia em movimento 2017, Vol.30 (suppl 1), p.139-150
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Fabiana Amaral de, Silva, Letícia Cristina Carvalho, Nogueira, Regina Adriana, Camargos, Stella Maria Cândido, Silva, Andressa, Borges, Viviane Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amputação; Confiabilidade dos Dados; Esfigmomanômetro; Força Muscular; ORTHOPEDICS; REHABILITATION; Validade dos Testes
• ISSN: 1980-5918; 1980-5918
• DOI: 10.1590/1980-5918.030.s01.ao14

Abstract Introduction: The sphygmomanometer test is an alternative and inexpensive method for assessment of muscle strength. This instrument was considered valid and reliable to measure the isometric strength in different health conditions, however, in individuals with limb amputations the properties of this instrument for this purpose, have not been investigated. Objective: To investigate the concurrent criterion validity, test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities of the aneroid sphygmomanometer test (AST) without modification, for assessment of the strength of subjects with lower limb amputations. Methods: Twenty-two subjects (57.6 ± 15.2 years) with lower limb amputations were included in this study. Maximum isometric force was assessed with a handheld dynamometer (microFet2®) and the AST. To identify differences between trials, one-way ANOVA was applied. To assess the concurrent criterion validity, test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities of the AST, Pearson’s correlation coefficients of determination and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. Results: For all muscle groups, no differences were observed between the trials (0.00001 ≤ F ≤ 0.10; 0.90 ≤ p ≤ 0.99). Significant, positive, and high to very high correlations were found between the HHD and the AST measures for the different numbers of trials for all assessed muscles (0.76 ≤ r ≤ 0.93; p ≤ 0.02). Test-retest (0.67 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.97) and inter-rater reliabilities (0.78 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.97) were adequate. The values obtained with the AST were good predictors of those obtained with HHD (0.58 ≤ r2 ≤ 0.85). Conclusion: For individuals with lower limb amputation, the AST showed adequate concurrent criterion validity, test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability for the assessment of lower limbs muscle strength. Resumo Introdução: O teste do esfigmomanômetro é um método alternativo e de baixo custo para se avaliar a força muscular. Esse instrumento já foi considerado válido e confiável para mensurar a força isométrica em diversas condições de saúde. No entanto, em indivíduos com amputações de membros as propriedades desse instrumento para esse fim, ainda não foram investigadas. Objetivo: Investigar a validade de critério concorrente, a confiabilidade teste-reteste e entre examinadores, do teste do esfigmomanômetro aneroide (TEA) sem modificação, para a avaliação da força muscular de indivíduos com amputações de membros inferiores (MMII). Métodos: Participaram 22 indivíduos (57,6 ± 15,2 a