Intra-observer reliability for measuring first and second toe and metatarsal protrusion distance using palpation-based tests: a test-retest study.
BACKGROUND
Measurement of first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion is frequently used to explain foot problems using x-rays, osteological measurements or palpation-based tests. Length differences could be related to the appearance of problems in the foot. A test-retest design was conducted in order to establish the intra-rater reliability of three palpation-based tests.


METHODS
202 feet of physical therapy students and teachers of the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid, 39 men and 62 women, were measured using three different tests. Data were analysed using SPSS version 15.0. Mean, SD and 95% CI were calculated for each variable. A normal distribution of quantitative data was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The test-retest intra-rater reliability was assessed using an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The Standard Error Mean (SEM) and the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) were also obtained.


RESULTS
All the ICC values showed a high degree of reliability (Test 1 = 0.97, Test 2 = 0.86 and Test 3 = 0.88) as did the SEM (Test 1 = 0.07, Test 2 = 0.10 and Test 3 = 0.11) and the MDC (Test 1 = 0.21, Test 2 = 0.30 and Test 3 = 0.31).


CONCLUSIONS
Reliability of measuring first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion using the three palpation-based tests showed a high degree of reliability.
Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEU San Pablo University, Avda, Montepríncipe s/n. Boadilla de Monte, Madrid, 28668, Spain.
Carmen-Belén
CB
Martínez-Cepa
Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEU San Pablo University, Avda, Montepríncipe s/n. Boadilla de Monte, Madrid, 28668, Spain.
Juan-Carlos
JC
Zuil-Escobar
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Nursing and Podiatry, Seville University, Avda, Sanchez Pizjuán s/n., Seville, 41009, Spain.
Raquel
R
Chillón-Martínez
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Nursing and Podiatry, Seville University, Avda, Sanchez Pizjuán s/n., Seville, 41009, Spain.
José-Jesús
JJ
Jiménez-Rejano
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Nursing and Podiatry, Seville University, Avda, Sanchez Pizjuán s/n., Seville, 41009, Spain.
Inmaculada-Concepción
IC
Palomo-Toucedo
Anthropometry; Foot; Reproducibility of results