Hand-held dynamometer to measure pressure pain thresholds: A double-blinded reliability and validity study

Jayaseelan, Dhinakar J.; Cole, Keith R.; Courtney, Carol A.

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102268

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…20 With appropriate equipment, PPT can be easily measured in the clinical setting using an algometer or hand-held dynamometer, with goodexcellent interrater and intrarater reliability reported. 21,22 In each study reviewed, PPT was significantly reduced at the involved foot in the plantar heel group compared to controls. Compared to the control groups, PPT was also significantly lower in the hand and neck (remote pain-free points) of the plantar heel group in 2 studies 6,8 and the contralateral foot in 3 studies.…”

Section: Implications For Practice Education and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered Central Pain Processing in Patients With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Jayaseelan¹,

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas²,

Blattenberger³

et al. 2021

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation

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Clinical Scenario: Plantar heel pain is a common condition frequently associated with persistent symptoms and functional limitations affecting both the athletic and nonathletic populations. Common interventions target impairments at the foot and ankle and local drivers of symptoms. If symptoms are predominantly perpetuated by alterations in central pain processing, addressing peripheral impairments alone may not be sufficient. Clinical Question: Do individuals with chronic plantar heel pain demonstrate signs potentially associated with altered central pain processing? Summary of Key Findings: After searching 6 electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, SportDiscus, Cochrane, and PEDro) and filtering titles based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 4 case-control studies were included. All studies scored highly on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment. Using pressure pain thresholds, each study found decreased pressure pain hypersensitivity locally and at a remote site compared to control groups, suggesting the presence, to some extent, of altered nociceptive pain processing. Clinical Bottom Line: In the studies reviewed, reported results suggest a possible presence of centrally mediated symptoms in persons with plantar heel pain. However, despite findings from these studies, limitations in appropriate matching based on body mass index and measures used suggest additional investigation is warranted. Strength of Recommendation: According to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, there is evidence level C to suggest chronic plantar heel pain is associated with alterations in central pain processing.

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Section: Implications For Practice Education and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered Central Pain Processing in Patients With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Jayaseelan¹,

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas²,

Blattenberger³

et al. 2021

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation

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“…This assessor was trained to perform the measurements and was selected from a pool of physiotherapy students enrolled in a master program. Although previous research showed high values for intratester and interrater reliability in novice and experienced assessors [ 35 , 36 ], the lack of information on reliability of the measurement may hamper the interpretation of our results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

High concurrent validity between digital and analogue algometers to measure pressure pain thresholds in healthy participants and people with migraine: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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Background Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) are commonly assessed to quantify mechanical sensitivity in various conditions, including migraine. Digital and analogue algometers are used, but the concurrent validity between these algometers is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the concurrent validity between a digital and analogue algometer to determine PPTs in healthy participants and people with migraine. Methods Twenty-six healthy participants and twenty-nine people with migraine participated in the study. PPTs were measured interictally and bilaterally at the cephalic region (temporal muscle, C1 paraspinal muscles, and trapezius muscle) and extra-cephalic region (extensor carpi radialis muscle and tibialis anterior muscle). PPTs were first determined with a digital algometer, followed by an analogue algometer. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3.1) and limits of agreement were calculated to quantify concurrent validity. Results The concurrent validity between algometers in both groups was moderate to excellent (ICC3.1 ranged from 0.82 to 0.99, with 95%CI: 0.65 to 0.99). Although PPTs measured with the analogue algometer were higher at most locations in both groups (p < 0.05), the mean differences between both devices were less than 18.3 kPa. The variation in methods, such as a hand-held switch (digital algometer) versus verbal commands (analogue algometer) to indicate when the threshold was reached, may explain these differences in scores. The limits of agreement varied per location and between healthy participants and people with migraine. Conclusion The concurrent validity between the digital and analogue algometer is excellent in healthy participants and moderate in people with migraine. Both types of algometer are well-suited for research and clinical practice but are not exchangeable within a study or patient follow-up.

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“…According to the authors, the algometer proved an effective research tool. Furthermore, research conducted by Jayaseelan et al [15] supported that the handheld dynamometer is a valid and reliable tool that accurately measures pain thresholds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Comparison of the effects of muscle energy technique and positional release of latent trigger points of the ternocleidomastoid muscle on changes in pain threshold and bioelectrical activity of the trapezius muscle

Gamrot¹

2022

phr

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Background: Trigger points TPs are defined as severely irritated areas in skeletal muscles or muscle fascia. They are painful during palpation, and generally, their symptoms are located away from the initial problem. Positional release (PRT) and muscle energy (MET) techniques stand out in particular and are among the most commonly used techniques by practitioners to treat TPs. Aims:Comparison of the effects of MET and PRT of latent TPs of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SMM) on changes in pain threshold and the bioelectrical activity of its antagonist, the trapezius muscle (TRM). Material and methods:The study involved 72 students divided into two equal groups. In group A, the PRT procedure of latent TPs of SMM was applied using the Jones method. Group B underwent MET treatment of the same muscle. Pain threshold was assessed with a Microfet2 handheld dynamometer. Bioelectrical activity with NORAXON's surface electromyography (sEMG). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Statistica 13.Results: A single PRT and MET treatment significantly increased the compressive pain threshold of TRM, with no significant differences between the two. The mean TRM tension value at rest decreased using both therapies showing statistically significant changes. Changes in TRM tension during physical activity showed statistically significant differences only after MET treatment. Conclusion:The comparability of both MET and PRT techniques in increasing the compressive pain threshold and decreasing the resting TRM tension after SMM therapy was demonstrated.

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Hand-held dynamometer to measure pressure pain thresholds: A double-blinded reliability and validity study

Cited by 13 publications

References 21 publications

Altered Central Pain Processing in Patients With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Altered Central Pain Processing in Patients With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

High concurrent validity between digital and analogue algometers to measure pressure pain thresholds in healthy participants and people with migraine: a cross-sectional study

Comparison of the effects of muscle energy technique and positional release of latent trigger points of the ternocleidomastoid muscle on changes in pain threshold and bioelectrical activity of the trapezius muscle

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