title: Reproducibility of repeated measurements with the Kikuhime pressure sensor under pressure garments in burn scar treatment.
abstract: This study investigated the reproducibility of repeated measurements with the Kikuhime pressure sensor under two different types of pressure garments used in the treatment and prevention of scars after burns. Also efficiency of garments was assessed in clinical circumstances by assessing pressure loss and residual pressure after 1 month. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and repeated measurements with 1-month time lapse were examined on 55 sites in 26 subjects by means of intra-class correlation coefficients and standard error of measurements. Results showed good to excellent ICC and low SEMs in the two conditions. There was a significant difference in pressure after 1 month between elastic tricot and weft knit garments, although evolution of pressure loss after 1 month was similar. Concerning different locations, there was a significant difference in pressure loss after 1 month between gloves and sleeves with the largest pressure loss for sleeves. Considering these results we concluded that the Kikuhime pressure sensor provides valid and reliable information and can be used in comparative clinical trials to evaluate pressure garments used in burn scar treatment. Secondly, elastic tricot garments in our study tended to have higher clinical pressures but both types of garments had similar pressure loss over time.
authors.affiliation: Burn Center of the Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Burns Center, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. eric.vandenkerckhove@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van den Kerckhove
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fieuws
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massagé
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hierner
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boeckx
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Deleuze
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laperre
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anthonissen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005676:Gravity Suits / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors