Inter-rater and inter-device reliability of mechanical thresholds measurement with the Electronic von Frey Anaesthesiometer and the SMALGO in healthy cats

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the Electronic von Frey Anaesthesiometer (EVF) and the Small Animal ALGOmeter (SMALGO), used to measure sensory thresholds in 13 healthy cats at both the stifle and the lumbosacral joint, in terms of inter-rater and inter-device reliability. Methods Two independent observers carried out the sets of measurements in a randomised order, with a 45 min interval between them, in each cat. The inter-rater and inter-device reliability were evaluated by calculating the inter-rater correlation coefficient (ICC) for each pair of measurements. The Bland–Altman method was used as an additional tool to assess the level of agreement between the two algometers. Results The mean ± SD sensory thresholds measured with the EVF were 311 ± 116 g and 378 ± 178 g for the stifle and for the lumbosacral junction, respectively, whereas those measured with the SMALGO were 391 ±172 g and 476 ± 172 g. The inter-rater reliability was fair (ICC >0.4) for each pair of measurements except those taken at the level of the stifle with the SMALGO, for which the level of agreement between observers A and B was poor (ICC = 0.01). The inter-device reliability was good (ICC = 0.73; P = 0.001). The repetition of the measurements affected reliability, as the thresholds obtained after the 45 min break were consistently lower than those measured during the first part of the trial ( P = 0.02). Conclusions and relevance The EVF and the SMALGO may be used interchangeably in cats, especially when the area to be tested is the lumbosacral joint. However, when the thresholds are measured at the stifle, the inter-observer reliability is better with the EVF than with the SMALGO. The reliability decreases when the measurements are repeated within a short time interval, suggesting a limited clinical applicability of quantitative sensory testing with both algometers in cats.

Serum artemin is not correlated with sensitivity within dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis pain

“…Studies by other prominent research groups have also noted a positive association between the mechanical threshold and body weight of healthy control [44][45][46][47] , OA 48 , and when comparing both control and OA dogs 48 using a blunt-tipped handheld pressure algometer 44,45,47,48 or an electronic von Frey 45,46 . Interestingly, studies in other animal species, such as healthy 1-2 week old Landrace x Yorkshire piglets 49 and domestic cats 50 , have also found a similar positive relationship between body weight and the mechanical threshold at axial www.nature.com/scientificreports/ and appendicular sites using the blunt-tipped handheld pressure algometer 49,50 or an electronic von Frey 50 . In the present study, we used a multivariable regression analysis to control for the possible confounding effect of body weight on the mechanical threshold.…”

A notação logarítmica como opção de registro objetivo da estesiometria: um estudo piloto

“…O uso desses e outros testes físicos na pesquisa em reabilitação prima pela métrica e reprodutividade para gerar inferências sustentadas na precisão e na qualidade dos dados 1,5 . Os dispositivos analógicos, mesmo os validados, usualmente manifestam poder de reprodutividade com maiores desvios que seus paralelos digitais 6,7 , como é o caso do estesiômetro do tipo monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein 8 . Em parte, o comprometimento da acurácia dos dados durante a coleta é causado por variabilidade entre avaliadores diferentes ou pela dispersão entre as áreas das secções transversais de um monofilamento para outro, com valores nominais notadamente diferentes 9 .…”

Inter- and intra-observer reliability of quantitative sensory testing performed with the SMall animal ALGOmeter (SMALGO) to evaluate pain associated with feline gingivostomatitis

“…Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a semi-quantitative method to assess dysfunctions of the sensory system, and the use of mechanical thresholds has also been described in cats to evaluate chronic pain. [10][11][12][13][14][15] Various pressure algometers have been designed for use in animals within the past two decades, of which two are specific for cats. 11,12 The SMall animal ALGOmeter (SMALGO; Bioseb) is a pressure-based algometer designed to measure allodynia and hyperalgesia in laboratory rodents.…”

“…18 The first reports in small-sized companion animals seem to suggest that the SMALGO may be a useful tool to measure various types of pain in clinical feline patients. 14 If the measurement of mechanical thresholds with the SMALGO could be proven to be an effective tool for the assessment of CGS-associated pain, this finding may potentially represent a step forward in the recognition and management of feline chronic pain.…”

“…18 The first reports in small-sized companion animals seem to suggest that the SMALGO may be a useful tool to measure various types of pain in clinical feline patients. 14…”