Validation of the Pliance X System in measuring interface pressure generated by pressure garment.

INTRODUCTION Pressure monitoring is crucial for effective pressure therapy. Precise and reliable interface pressure measurement system, however, remains unavailable in current practice. METHODOLOGY This is a validation study on the application of a recently developed device, the Pliance X System, for static interface pressure measurement. Sensor properties were evaluated through series of laboratory tests in the first phase of the study. Phase II was a clinical study using the Pliance X system to differentiate the loading generated on the patients' scars through additional inserts and pressure garment. RESULTS Results showed high test-retest and inter-rater reliability (ICC > or = 0.995) with good linearity (adjusted R-square=0.997) by measuring standard weights. The maximum deviation between the measurement generated by the sensor and the sphygmomanometer cuff was +/-1.451 mmHg. Results in the clinical trial revealed its discriminant ability in distinguishing different levels of pressure loading on patients with scars (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The commercially available pressure measurement system was found to be a reliable tool for measurement of low interface pressure under static condition.