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A force meter to assess lower limb motor function after epidural analgesia
A H Ilsley1, P Brownridge, J L Plummer
1Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
Background And Objectives:
Current methods of assessing lower limb motor function using low-dose epidural analgesia are either too insensitive (Bromage scale) or too cumbersome for use during labor. Accordingly, we have designed a force meter that quantitatively measures isometric muscle power of the lower limbs during peak voluntary exertion.
Methods:
The force meter was tested for linearity using calibrated reference weights. Measurements were made on two occasions (separated by an interval of approximately 5 years), and differences in response were assessed by regression analysis. Departure from linearity was examined by a lack of fit test.
Results:
There was no significant nonlinearity in response over the range 0-15 kg, nor was there any significant difference in slope between the two functional modes of this device. The device overread slightly at the higher weights.
Conclusions:
The force meter described was found to be sufficiently accurate and suitable for the quantitative assessment of lower limb motor function after epidural analgesia during labor.