Reliability and validity of skin elasticity meter to measure skin mechanical properties in patients with lower extremity cancer-related edema.

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the reliability and validity of a skin elasticity meter for evaluating the skin mechanical properties. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a prospective observational study using data from 35 patients diagnosed with unilateral lower extremity edema caused by cancer-related. We evaluated the skin's mechanical properties (relative parameter; R0, distensibility; R2, gross elasticity; R5, net elasticity; R6, viscoelasticity; R7, biological elasticity) of the thigh and lower leg using a skin elasticity meter. Intra-rater reliability was calculated using interclass correlation (ICC). Validity was also examined by comparing the edema and non-edema sides of the data obtained using a skin elasticity meter and correlating them with the circumferential diameter difference. [Results] ICC values ranged from 0.787 to 0.997 for each site. A significant difference in skin mechanical properties (offset + R0, R2, R6, and R7) of the upper extremities was observed between the lymphedema and non-lymphedema groups. A correlation was found between the R0 + offset between the R0 + offset parameter and the difference in circumference. [Conclusion] This study suggested that the skin elasticity meter is a reliable and valid method for evaluating the mechanical properties of the skin in patients with lower extremity cancer-related edema.