Title

A Controlled Investigation into the Measurement Properties of Two Circumferential Penile Strain Gauges.

Authors

Richards, Jeffrey C.; Bridger, Brian A.; Wood, Michael M.; Kalucy, Ross S.; Marshall, Villis R.

Abstract

A Barlow-type electromechanical strain gauge and an indium/gallium-in-rubber strain gauge were compared for linearity of output, replicability, stability, and sensitivity to temperature changes. Distension of the strain gauges was achieved by placing them on standard size glass dilators, while temperature changes were produced and monitored in a controlled environment. Both gauges demonstrated comparable and very linear outputs and both had high test-retest reliability. Variations in temperature affected the outputs for both gauges, although for neither did they affect the degree of linearity between pen deflection and circumference. The electromechanical strain gauge was marginally less sensitive to temperature changes than the indium/gallium gauge, although for neither was the degree of error introduced of great practical significance. Although the output from the electromechanical strain gauge was slightly less stable over time than that from the indium/gallium gauge, when all variables were considered, the former gauge was marginally preferred over the latter.

Subjects

STRAIN gages; PLETHYSMOGRAPHY; PENIS; PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY

Publication

Psychophysiology, 1985, Vol 22, Issue 5, p568

ISSN

0048-5772

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1111/j.1469-8986.1985.tb01653.x