Reliability and concurrent validity of bathroom weighing scale and sphygmomanometer in quantifying magnitude of digital postero-anterior spinal pressure

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of using Modified Sphygmomanometer (sphyg) and body weighing scale to determine the magnitude of pressure and body weight change during digital spinal examination. One hundred and twenty apparently healthy subjects were recruited. Weighing scale was used to measure the body weight of the investigator while Mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure the pressure exerted. There was test re-test interval of 2 weeks. Data were analysed by descriptive statistic and Pearson product moment correlation. The result showed that there was significant correlation between the weight change (WC) values obtained on the weighing scale on day 1 and 2 (r=0.91). Also, there was significant correlation between Pressure obtained in the sphygmomanometer on day 1 and 2 (r=0.94). Similarly, there was significant correlation between the WC and Pressure Change (PC), (r=-0.49). The participant's age, height, weight and BMI contributed significantly as predictors for both BWC and PC change respectively. This study concluded that weighing scale and Mercury sphygmomanometer are reliable and valid to determine the magnitude of pressure applied during DPAP.