Appropriateness of plantar pressure measurement devices: A comparative technical assessment

Accurate plantar pressure measurements are mandatory in both clinical and research contexts. Differences in accuracy, precision and reliability of the available devices have prevented so far the onset of standardization processes or the definition of reliable reference datasets. In order to comparatively assess the appropriateness of the most used pressure measurement devices (PMD) on-the-market, in 2006 the Institute the author is working for approved a two-year scientific project aimed to design, validate and implement dedicated testing methods for both in-factory and on-the field assessment. A first testing phase was also performed which finished in December 2008. Five commercial PMDs using different technologies—resistive, elastomer-based capacitive, air-based capacitive—were assessed and compared with respect to absolute pressure measurements, hysteresis, creep and COP estimation. The static and dynamic pressure tests showed very high accuracy of capacitive, elastomer-based technology (RMSE < 0.5%), and quite a good performance of capacitive, air-based technology (RMSE < 5%). High accuracy was also found for the resistive technology by TEKSCAN (RMSE < 2.5%), even though a complex ad hoc calibration was necessary.