Accuracy of Estimated Bioimpedance Parameters with Octapolar Segmental Bioimpedance Analysis

The validity of the impedance parameters of the five body segments estimated using octapolar segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis (OS-BIA) has not been confirmed. This study aimed to verify the accuracy of the resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle of each five-body segment. The accuracy of the OS-BIA at 50 kHz was measured based on the direct tetrapolar segmental BIA. The differences in the estimated impedance parameters of the five body segments were compared to those measured from the OS-BIA in elderly men (N = 73) and women (N = 63). The estimated 50 kHz-R (Ω) was significantly higher than the measured 50 kHz-R in the right and left arms, and lower than the measured 50 kHz-R of the trunk, right leg, and left leg (all, p < 0.05). The estimated 50 kHz-phase angles in all the five body segments were significantly lower than the measured ones (all, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the estimated impedance parameters, R, Xc, and phase angle of the trunk, were remarkedly underestimated, limiting the assessment of the physiological state of the organs in the body. Therefore, further intensive research is needed in the field of estimated segmental BIA in the future.