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Abstract-Limb loading measurements serve as an objective evaluation of asymmetrical weight bearing in the lower limb. Digital weighing scales (DWSs) could be used in clinical settings for measurement of static limb loading. However, ambiguity exists whether limb loading measurements of DWSs are comparable with a standard tool such as MatScan. A cross-sectional study composed of 33 nondisabled participants was conducted to investigate the reliability, agreement, and validity of DWSs with MatScan in static standing. Amounts of weight distribution and plantar pressure on the individual lower limb were measured using two DWSs (A, B) and MatScan during eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. The results showed that intra- and interrater reliability (3, 1) were excellent (0.94-0.97) within and between DWS A and B. Bland-Altman plot revealed good agreement between DWS and MatScan in EO and EC conditions. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was significant and identified as 0.68 (p = 0.01). The measurements obtained with DWSs are valid and in agreement with MatScan measurements. Hence, DWSs could be used interchangeably with MatScan and could provide clinicians an objective measurement of limb loading suitable for clinical settings.
Key words: agreement, asymmetry, digital weighing scale, limb loading, measurement, plantar pressure distribution, rehabilitation, reliability, validity, weight distribution.
Abbreviations: DWS = digital weighing scale, EC = eyes closed, EO = eyes open, ICC = intraclass correlation coefficient, LLA = limb loading asymmetry, LoA = limits of agreement, PPD = percentage of pressure distribution, PWD = percentage of weight distribution, ROC = receiver operating characteristic, SD = standard deviation, SI = symmetry index.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
INTRODUCTION
Standing is an essential fundamental position to carry out functional activities of daily living [1]. The ability to maintain the body in equilibrium during standing is influenced by factors such as visual input and lower-limb weight distribution [2-4]. The presence of visual input improves postural control in standing [1]. On the other hand, eyes closed (EC) during standing produces a greater body sway, resulting in postural instability leading to asymmetrical limb loading [3,5]. Limb loading distribution is said to be symmetrical when both lower limbs load equally. Functional activities such as standing and walking are said to be energy efficient when both lower limbs behave symmetrical...