Test-retest reliability of the commercial volumeter.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to improve the standardization of the current protocol for measuring hand volume with the commercial volumeter.


METHODS
A repeated-measures design was used to determine test-retest reliability of the new protocol of measuring hand volume with the commercial volumeter. The new protocol used a height-adjustable table and external trunk support of the participant in order to maintain consistency of web-space pressure between the first and second measurement. A 1 ml micropipette was used to obtain a more accurate volume reading. An intraclass correlation (2,1), repeated measures ANOVA, and standard error of measurement were used to determine the results of this study.


RESULTS
This study confirmed the test-retest reliability of the commercial volumeter and decreased the standard error of measurement to 3~ml as opposed to the current standard of 10 ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinically, this study is significant in that occupational and physical therapists can detect more subtle change in hand volume.
Dodds
Rachel L
RL
School of Occupational Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA.
Nielsen
Kelly A
KA
Shirley
Andrea G
AG
Stefaniak
HollyAnn
H
Falconio
Mandi J
MJ
Moyers
Penelope A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results