Reliability of infrared thermometric measurements of skin temperature in the hand.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical measurement study.

INTRODUCTION

Skin temperature asymmetries (STAs) are used in the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but little evidence exists for reliability of the equipment and methods.

PURPOSE

This study examined the reliability of an inexpensive infrared (IR) thermometer and measurement points in the hand for the study of STA.

METHODS

ST was measured three times at five points on both hands with an IR thermometer by two raters in 20 volunteers (12 normals and 8 CRPS).

RESULTS

ST measurement results using IR thermometers support inter-rater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimate for single measures 0.80; all ST measurement points were also highly reliable (ICC single measures, 0.83-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

The equipment demonstrated excellent reliability, with little difference in the reliability of the five measurement sites. These preliminary findings support their use in future CRPS research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Not applicable.