Usefulness of Electronic Pressure Algometer in Evaluation of Pressure Pain Threshold in Normal Korean Adults

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine pressure pain threshold (PPT) on several skeletal muscles in upper extremity, trunk, and lower extremity by using electronic pressure algometer and to evaluate it's interrater reliability, reproducibility, difference between gender and dominance, correlation with body mass index, and comparison among each muscles. METHOD: Forty healthy adults (male 27, female 13) were examined by two raters and reexamined in the same order after a rest of 10 minute. PPT at the splenius capitis, upper trapezius, infraspinatus, lumbar paraspinal muscle, extensor carpi radialis, vastus medialis, and gluteus medius muscles of both side was measured by medical electronic algometer. Rate of force application was approximately 2 lb/sec. Body mass index (BMI) was estimated from the individual's body weight by the square of their height. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences of PPTs at all muscles between two raters, between two test with time interval, and between dominant and nondominant side, respectively. PPT in man was higher than female at all muscles. There was significant correlation between BMI and PPT at lumbar paraspinal muscle, vastus medialis, and gluteus medius only in male. PPT was highest at lumbar paraspinal muscle and lowest at splenius capitis. CONCLUSION: Electronic pressure algometer is a reliable tool for evaluation of PPT which has high interrater reliability and high reproducibility and is not affected by dominance and location of muscles. Therefore, it is a useful clinical tool to compare PPT before and after treatment and to study the mechanism of musculoskeletal pain research program.