Article

Functional interpretation of plantar pressure measurements is
commonly done through the use of ratios and indices which are preceded by the
strategic combination of a subsampling method and selection of physical
quantities. However, errors which may arise throughout the determination of these
temporal indices/ratio calculations (T-IRC) have not been quantified. The purpose
of the current study was therefore to estimate the reliability of T-IRC following
semi-automatic total mapping (SATM). METHODS: Using a repeated-measures design,
two experienced therapists performed three subsampling sessions on three left and
right pedobarographic footprints of ten healthy participants. Following the
subsampling, six T-IRC were calculated: Rearfoot-Forefoot_fti,
Rearfoot-Midfoot_fti, Forefoot medial/lateral_fti, First ray_fti, Metatarsal
1-Metatarsal 5_fti, Foot medial-lateral_fti. FINDINGS: Patterns of the T-IRC were
found to be consistent and in good agreement with corresponding knowledge from
the literature. The inter-session errors of both therapists were similar in
pattern and magnitude. The lowest peak inter-therapist error was found in the
First ray_fti (6.5 a.u.) whereas the highest peak inter-therapist error was
observed in the Forefoot medial/lateral_fti (27.0 a.u.) The magnitude of the
inter-session and inter-therapist error varied over time, precluding the
calculation of a simple numerical value for the error. The difference between
both error parameters of all T-IRC was negligible which underscores the
repeatability of the SATM protocol. CONCLUSION: The current study reports
consistent patterns for six T-IRC and similar inter-session and inter-therapist
error. The proposed SATM protocol and the T-IRC may therefore serve as basis for
functional interpretation of footprint data.
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Langue : ANGLAIS