CLINICAL UTILITY OF A STANDARD ANAROID SPHYGMOMANOMETER TO MEASURE INSPIRATORY MUSCLE STRENGTH. Lawrence P. Cahalin*1; Sean M. Collins2 1. Physical Therapy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA; 2. Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA PURPOSE: To examine the clinical utility of a standard anaroid sphygmomanometer (SAS) to measure IMS by comparing IMS measures recorded from a SAS and a Magnahelic manometer (MM). BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: Devices to measure inspiratory muscle strength (IMS) are not always readily available and are often costly. This is unfortunate since IMS has been found to be related to dyspnea, exercise tolerance, and survival. Therefore, identification of an inexpensive device to measure IMS in any clinical setting could improve care to patients with poor IMS. SUBJECTS: Not Applicable METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty measurements of IMS were obtained by two investigators {one investigator using a MM and the other using a SAS} blinded to each others measurements. The measurements of IMS were randomly generated throughout a wide range of values (mean=75 cmH2O; range=10-225 cmH2O) by the investigator using the MM which was connected in series (via 0.5 cm rubbing tubing) to the SAS. The investigator using the SAS recorded the negative deflection of the SAS needle during the random generation of IMS values. The resolution of the SAS was 2 mmHg and that of the MM was 5 cmH2O. The SAS mmHg measurements were then converted to cmH2O (mmHg x 1.36 = cmH2O). ANALYSES: The converted measurements from the SAS were compared to the MM values via correlation analyses and paired t-tests. RESULTS: Excellent correlation of the IMS values was observed between the MM and SAS measurements (r=0.99; p<0.0001) without a significant difference between the MM and SAS measurements (p>0.05). Neither a learning effect nor high versus low IMS value effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of IMS using a SAS appears to be justified in view of the excellent correlation and t-test results. Simply multiplying the SAS values by 1.36 provided an accurate measurement of IMS in cmH2O. SAS are readily available in almost every clinical physical therapy setting. Measurement of IMS using a SAS appears to be accurate and is likely to enhance the physical therapy examination and better direct treatment to patients observed to have poor IMS. FUNDING SOURCE: Not Applicable KEYWORDS: Inspiratory Muscle Strength Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.