Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:18
Doppler Ultrasound-Based Leg Blood Flow Assessment During Single-Leg Knee-Extensor Exercise in an Uncontrolled Setting
Published on: December 15, 2023
Reliability of foot caliper
Siriporn Janchai1, Natthiya Tantisiriwat
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Simple foot calipers demonstrate high reliability for accurate foot measurements, making them suitable for clinical applications in rehabilitation medicine. This study confirms their effectiveness in assessing foot dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Medical Device Evaluation
Background:
- Accurate foot measurements are crucial for diagnosing and managing various musculoskeletal conditions.
- Existing measurement tools may have limitations in terms of cost, accessibility, or reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of simple, newly developed foot calipers for measuring key foot dimensions.
- To determine the inter-examiner and intra-device reliability of these calipers.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted involving 15 volunteers from a rehabilitation medicine department.
- Three sets of simple foot calipers were used by three examiners to measure foot width, length, and great toe depth.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to evaluate measurement reliability.
Main Results:
- The foot calipers exhibited high reliability for all measured dimensions, with ICC values generally above 0.94 for inter-examiner reliability and above 0.98 for intra-device reliability.
- Measurements included foot width (9.64 mm), length (24.17 mm), and great toe depth (1.91 mm).
- Data analysis indicated high agreement among measurements.
Conclusions:
- Simple foot calipers possess high reliability for foot measurements.
- These devices are deemed appropriate for practical clinical use in rehabilitation settings.
Related Concept Videos
02:46Uncertainty in Measurement: Reading Instruments
Counting is the type of measurement that is free from uncertainty, provided the number of objects being counted does not change during the process. Such measurements result in exact numbers. By counting the eggs in a carton, for instance, one can determine exactly how many eggs are there in the carton. Similarly, the numbers of defined quantities are also exact. For example, 1 foot is exactly 12 inches, 1 inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters, and 1 gram is exactly 0.001 kilograms. Quantities...
03:37Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision
Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.
01:15Distance Corrections
To achieve precise distance measurements, especially in surveying and construction, certain corrections must be applied to account for potential sources of error like the standardization errors, temperature variations, and slope adjustments.Standardization error emerges when measurement equipment undergoes changes, such as wear, repairs, or weather impacts. To address this, surveyors compare the equipment’s readings to a standard. This process identifies any deviation that might lead to...
01:12Instrument Calibration
Instrument calibration is essential for ensuring that instruments produce accurate and consistent results. It is vital in manufacturing, healthcare, testing laboratories, and scientific research. Calibration processes are specific to each instrument and help enhance data accuracy. Each instrument has a unique calibration process tailored to its design and function to improve data accuracy.
Analytical Balance Calibration
An analytical balance measures mass and requires regular calibration to...
Analytical Balance Calibration
An analytical balance measures mass and requires regular calibration to...
01:44Rules for Significant Figures
In any measurement, the precision of the measuring tool is an essential factor. An ordinary ruler, for example, can measure length to the closest millimeter; a caliper, on the other hand, can measure length to the nearest 0.01 mm. As a result, the caliper is a more precise measurement tool because it can measure extremely minute changes in length. The measurements will be more accurate if the measuring tool is more precise.
It should be emphasized that when we represent measured values, the...
It should be emphasized that when we represent measured values, the...
01:11Glassware Calibration
Accurate calibration of glassware, such as volumetric flasks, pipettes, and burettes, is essential to ensure accurate measurements in the analytical laboratory. Calibration helps maintain consistency across measurements and prevents errors arising from inaccurate volumes.
Volumetric flasks: Volumetric flasks are designed to prepare aqueous solutions of precise volumes accurately with a calibration line on the neck. To calibrate a volumetric flask, it is important to fill it with distilled...
Volumetric flasks: Volumetric flasks are designed to prepare aqueous solutions of precise volumes accurately with a calibration line on the neck. To calibrate a volumetric flask, it is important to fill it with distilled...