To test the precision of a new electronic method for measuring joint tenderness.
Joint tenderness was measured in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, using an electronic dolorimeter. The results were compared with joint tenderness counts, which were made according to the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) methods.
The intra-observer variability using the electronic method was significantly decreased compared with the conventional ARA joint tenderness counts.
The electronic method is more efficient for use in clinical trials than is the conventional ARA joint tenderness count.