title: The effect of probe to skin contact force on Cutometer MPA 580 measurements.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that increasing the force applied on the skin by the Cutometer MP580 probe will result in a decrease in the skin elasticity measures. Specifically, this study assessed the probe intrinsic weight plus the addition of a light mass (10 g and 20 g), a moderate mass (50 g and 100 g) and a high mass (200 g and 500 g) on skin elasticity measures. Primary outcome measures Uv, Ur, Uf, Ue and Ua, along with calculated measures Uv/Uf, Ua/Uf and Ur/Uf were assessed under each loading condition. A general linear model ANOVA with repeated measures was used to assess for differences in each outcome measure between each loading condition. Thirty-two patients were enrolled and all completed the testing. For all primary variables except Uv (p < 0.001), there was no statistically significant effect of adding a light mass to the probe. There was a significant effect of the addition of a moderate and heavy mass for all variables (p < 0.005) except Ue/Uf. These results suggest that the addition of a low mass results in no significant effect on outcome measures. However, if moderate-to-heavy additional force is applied to the probe, the outcome measures are significantly altered. Of all the variables, Ue/Uf appears to be influenced the least by alterations in force. Users should ensure light contact is made between the skin and probe during testing to avoid a false alteration in outcome measures of skin elasticity.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada. DrJames.Bonaparte@gmail.com
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Bonaparte
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ellis
authors: Jeffson
authors: J
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018583:Pliability; D012867:Skin