Reliability and reproducibility of a clinical application of a simple technique for repeated circumferential leg measurements.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the reliability and reproducibility of repeated tape measurements to assess the leg circumference during a long period.


METHODS
A tape measure is a simple instrument that is applicable in the presence of oedema. Measurements were performed by four observers on 11 volunteers. Four measurements were done in the first week (short term), a fifth measurement at two weeks (medium term) and a sixth measurement was done at 12 weeks (long term).


RESULTS
The short-, medium- and long-term intra-class correlation coefficients for repeated measurements were 0.90, 0.89 and 0.78, respectively. The short-term and long-term reproducibility indices equalled 4.4% and 6.5%. If only a single observer would be involved, the short-term intra-class correlation coefficients would improve to 0.94 (reproducibility index 3.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Tape measurements have been proved to be a reliable and reproducible method to asses the lower limb circumference.
te Slaa
A
A
Department of Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands.
Mulder
P
P
Dolmans
D
D
Castenmiller
P
P
Ho
G
G
van der Laan
L
L
D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors