International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
Volume 9, Issue 4 , Pages 113-119, December 2006

Algometer reliability in measuring pain pressure threshold over normal spinal muscles to allow quantification of anti-nociceptive treatment effects

  • Louise Potter

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Rehabilitation Science, University of Manchester, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital's NHS Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel./fax: +44 0161 276 6672.
    web address
    • ,
  • Christopher McCarthy

      Affiliations

    • Medical School Building, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
    • ,
  • Jacqueline Oldham

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Rehabilitation Science, University of Manchester, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital's NHS Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK

Received 12 March 2006; received in revised form 20 November 2006; accepted 23 November 2006.

Abstract 

Background

Algometry has been shown to be an effective way of quantifying pressure pain threshold (PPT), although its reliability in assessing spinal muscle pain (excluding trigger points) has not been robustly analysed.

Objectives

Intra-rater PPT assessment by algometry over the belly of four pairs of spinal muscles (iliocostalis, multifidus, gluteus maximus and trapezius) in a healthy sample was analysed.

Methods

Healthy subjects had their PPT measured twice (within 5min) on three occasions (separated by a week). Intra-class correlation coefficients and the smallest detectable difference were calculated to analyse the reliability of the measurements and 95% limits of agreement plots were drawn to assess systematic difference.

Results

Assessments revealed good within-session reliability (80 assessments) (ICC>0.91) and good between-session reliability (ICC>0.87), with a moderate measurement error (approximately 3kg/cm2) and no systematic difference within-session or between-sessions.

Conclusions

PPT assessment by algometry is a reliable, both within-session and between-sessions, measure of a subject's pain. This study provides further validity to the use of this measure as a suitable, convenient method of monitoring treatment effects.

Keywords: Algometry, Pain pressure threshold, Reliability, Treatment effect

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PII: S1746-0689(06)00118-0

doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2006.11.002

International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
Volume 9, Issue 4 , Pages 113-119, December 2006

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