Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to improve the standardization of the current protocol for measuring hand volume with the commercial volumeter.
Method: A repeated-measures design was used to determine test-retest reliability of the new protocol of measuring hand volume with the commercial volumeter. The new protocol used a height-adjustable table and external trunk support of the participant in order to maintain consistency of web-space pressure between the first and second measurement. A 1 ml micropipette was used to obtain a more accurate volume reading. An intraclass correlation (2,1), repeated measures ANOVA, and standard error of measurement were used to determine the results of this study.
Results: This study confirmed the test-retest reliability of the commercial volumeter and decreased the standard error of measurement to 3~ml as opposed to the current standard of 10 ml.
Conclusion: Clinically, this study is significant in that occupational and physical therapists can detect more subtle change in hand volume.