Normal pressure values and repeatability of the Emed® ST2 system

ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess the repeatability of the Emed® ST2 system and identify the range of pressure values observed in the normal foot.MethodsMeasurements were taken from twenty-three healthy subjects, 14 females and 9 males, on two occasions 7 days apart. Begin of contact (BC), end of contact (EC), contact time (CT), peak pressure (PP), instant of peak pressure (IPP), contact area (CA) and pressure–time integral (PTI) were recorded.ResultsThe coefficient of repeatability (CR) was less than 16.0% for all 63 parameters considered. In 87.3% of the parameters investigated (55 of 63) the CR (expressed as a percentage of the mean) was less than 10%. The highest areas of PP were found under the great toe and second metatarsal heads, with mean (S.D.) equal to 435 kPa (202) and 407 kPa (146), respectively, followed by the third metatarsal head 345 kPa (96) and the hindfoot 332 kPa (93). The CT (% ROP (range of pressure)) was in the range 74–85% under the metatarsal heads, and 71% under the great toe. CA was highest under the heel at 33.8 cm2.ConclusionEmed® ST2 system was found to be repeatable. The presented range of parameters compared very well to the results presented in the literature for the Emed® ST4 system.