Comparative Studies on the Concordance Rate of Pulse Condition Interpretation between Interpreters and between Interpreters and a Pulse Analyzer

(3) Korean Journal of Acupuncture, Vol.28, No.4, pp.91∼99, 2011

Comparative Studies on the Concordance Rate of Pulse Condition Interpretation between Interpreters and between Interpreters and a Pulse Analyzer

Sei-Young Kang, In-Soo Jang, Lak-Hyung Kim

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of our investigation was to determine the concordance rate among interpreters. Furthermore, we determined the concordance rate between individual interpreters and the pulse analyzer used in this study.

Methods: Thirty-nine volunteers were enrolled for this study. As instructed by the protocol, these subjects took a 5-minute rest in a sitting position. As they were not allowed to move or speak, radial artery pulse conditions were measured on the lower arm of each subject by means of the pulse analyzer under investigation. Two Korean medical doctors, who did not know the default pulse conditions, were instructed to intuitively choose the best condition one in comparison with the 13 default pulse conditions. Subsequently, we analyzed the differences in results between interpreters and between interpreters and the pulse analyzer.

Results: The total concordance rates, with similar concordance rates being included, between interpreters, between interpreter A and the pulse analyzer, and between interpreter B and the pulse analyzer was 56.4%, 79.5%, and 71.8% respectively. Interpreter A and B selected 6 and 7 cases of a faint, fine, weak (微細弱脈) pulse, agreeing with each other in 5 of the cases and with the pulse analyzer in 8 of the 13 cases.

Conclusions: In the case of a skipping pulse 2 (促2脈), a short pulse (短脈), and a faint · fine · weak pulse (微細弱脈), the concordance between interpreters matches with the concordance between interpreters and the pulse analyzer. The concordance rate goes is higher for such smaller pulse conditions as faint · fine · weak pulse (微細弱脈) and short pulse (短脈).

Key Words: pulse analyser; pulse condition; faint - fine - weak pulse (微細弱脈); skipping pulse 2 (促2脈); short pulse (短脈)