Reliability of Pain Measurements Using Computerized Cuff Algometry: A DoloCuff Reliability and Agreement Study.
Computerized pneumatic cuff pressure algometry (CPA) using the DoloCuff is a new method for pain assessment. Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities have not yet been established. Our aim was to examine the inter- and intrarater reliabilities of DoloCuff measures in healthy subjects.



Twenty healthy subjects (ages 20 to 29 years) were assessed three times at 24-hour intervals by two trained raters. Inter-rater reliability was established based on the first and second assessments, whereas intrarater reliability was based on the second and third assessments. Subjects were randomized 1:1 to first assessment at either rater 1 or rater 2. The variables of interest were pressure pain threshold (PT), pressure pain tolerance (PTol), and temporal summation index (TSI). Reliability was estimated by a two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) absolute agreement analysis. Reliability was considered excellent if ICC > 0.75, fair to good if 0.4 < ICC < 0.75, and poor if ICC < 0.4. Bias and random errors between raters and assessments were evaluated using 95% confidence interval (CI) and Bland-Altman plots.



Inter-rater reliability for PT, PTol, and TSI was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.69 to 0.95), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.95), and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.42 to 0.94), respectively. The intrarater reliability for PT, PTol, and TSI was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.53 to 0.92), 0.89 (95% CI: 0.74 to 0.96), and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.28 to 0.91), respectively.



Inter-rater reliability was excellent for PT, PTol, and TSI. Similarly, the intrarater reliability for PT and PTol was excellent, while borderline excellent/good for TSI. Therefore, the DoloCuff can be used to obtain reliable measures of pressure pain parameters in healthy subjects.
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Jack
J
Kvistgaard Olsen
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Dilay Kesgin
DK
Fener
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.|The Research Initiative for Activity Studies and Occupational Therapy, General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Eva Elisabet
EE
Waehrens
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Anton
A
Wulf Christensen
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Anders
A
Jespersen
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.|Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bente
B
Danneskiold-Samsøe
Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Else Marie
EM
Bartels
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
pain measurement; pain threshold; reproducibility of results; tourniquet pain test; validation studies