scholarly journals Lateral Abdominal Muscles Shear Modulus and Thickness Measurements under Controlled Ultrasound Probe Compression by External Force Sensor: A Comparison and Reliability Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4036
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Mikołajowski ◽  
Małgorzata Pałac ◽  
Tomasz Wolny ◽  
Paweł Linek

The aim of this study was to perform a reliability and agreement analysis and to compare lateral abdominal muscles (LAMs) thickness and elasticity results obtained by an experienced operator, by a non-experienced operator, and in an ultrasound imaging probe compression controlled (PCC) condition with minimal force necessary to obtain a proper ultrasound image. The sample consisted of 39 adolescents. An Aixplorer ultrasound scanner was used to evaluate the LAM. The probe in PCC condition was positioned in a prepared probe holder coupled with a pressure sensor. The LAM thickness and elasticity measurements were significantly (p < 0.05) different in the ultrasound PCC condition, compared to results obtained by both examiners. The abdominal oblique external and internal muscle thickness measurements were underestimated and all LAM shear moduli were overestimated during measurements without controlling the probe compression by an external sensor. The intra-class correlation coefficient was excellent in all conditions, but the smallest detectable differences were approximately 43–60% lower during the measurements collected in PCC condition. Differences in LAM measurements between PCC and ‘on-hand’ conditions may be clinically irrelevant when the force applied by the probe is consciously controlled by the examiner. However, during ultrasound measurements of the LAM morphology, the potential under/over estimation should always be considered when measurements are performed without controlling probe compression by an external sensor.

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110365
Author(s):  
Alessandra V. Prieto ◽  
Kênnea Martins Almeida Ayupe ◽  
Ana C. A. Abreu ◽  
Paulo J. B. Gutierres Filho

Improvement in rider mobility represents an important functional gain for people with disabilities undergoing hippotherapy. However, there is no validated measuring instrument to track and document the rider's progress in riding activities. In this study, we aimed to develop and establish validity evidence for an instrument to assess hippotherapy participants’ mobility on horseback. We report on this development through the stages of: (a) content validation, (b) construct validation, (c) inter- and intra-rater reliability and (d) internal consistency analysis. We evaluated its factor structure with exploratory factor analyses, calculated values for inter- and intra-rater reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient, and calculated its internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. We followed recommendations by the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. We found good inter-rater reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient – ICC = 0.991–0.999) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.997–1.0), and there was excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.937–0.999). The instrument’s factor structure grouped its three domains into one factor. As this instrument is theoretically consistent and has been found to be appropriate and reliable for its intended use, it is now available for the measurement of horseback mobility among hippotherapy riders.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 71-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rouin Amirfeyz ◽  
Sanchit Mehendale ◽  
Sarah Tyrrell ◽  
Raj Bhatia ◽  
Ian Leslie ◽  
...  

Katz and Stirrat devised a hand diagram, which uses subjective information from the patient for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). They reported a good result. We tested the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of this hand diagram. Twenty five consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CTS, 25 with other common hand and wrist problems but CTS and 25 healthy individuals were prospectively recruited. Each patient filled in a hand diagram. Two experienced hand surgeon scored the diagrams blindly on two different sittings four-week apart. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa were used for intra and inter-observer reliability respectively. The intra-observer agreement was poor (ICC 95% 0.33–0.65) and inter-observer was fair (Kappa = 0.241). This study does not support the use of Katz and Stirrat Hand Diagram for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in place if a thorough clinical examination.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Soccal Schwertner ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Ana Paula Ramos Marinho ◽  
Magnus Benetti ◽  
Thais Silva Beltrame ◽  
...  

Introduction: The objective of this study was to adapt the Brazilian version, and verify the validity, reliability and internal consistency of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people.Material and Methods: The questionnaire was translated from European Portuguese into Brazilian Portuguese by means of translation and re-translation. The validity of the contents was determined by experts who analyzed the clarity and pertinence of the questions. Fifteen young people aged 15 to 18 took part in the pre-test step (qualitative analysis), 40 in the test-retest (reliability) and 679 in the evaluation of internal consistency. The intra-class correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used in the reliability analysis (test-retest), and Cronbach’s alpha to determine the internal consistency (stability).Results: In the translation phase the questionnaire was modified and considered suitable, observing similarity and equivalence of the two versions. After being corrected by the experts in the validation of the contents, the instrument was considered suitable and valid, and in the pre-test, the young people suggested some modifications to make the questionnaire more succinct. With respect to reliability, the values for the intra-class correlation coefficient were between 0.512 – acceptable and 1 – excellent and Spearman’s correlation coefficient varied between 0.525 and 1, classifying the instrument as reproducible. The internal consistency was considered acceptable with a 0.757 Cronbach’s alpha.Discussion: The Oliveira questionnaire was choosen since it has been used in several Portuguese studies; moreover, it addresses the need to raise data regarding low back pain and associated risk factors.Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the Oliveira questionnaire on low back pain in young people showed valid and reliable cultural adaptation, with good reliability and stability.


This study aims to test an interactive pedagogical tool using a computer-based learning approach. The purpose of building Multiple Intelligences Activities Flip Module is to increase students’ potentials through their multiple intelligences. The true-experimental study design is used and the samples are randomly selected as control and treatment groups. Pre and post tests are used to measure the effectiveness of this interactive flip module in relations to multiple intelligences significant differences. The findings of the study reveal that the interactive Multiple Intelligences Activity flip module has a high degree of reliability whereby the average measure for Intra-class Correlation Coefficient is .771 with a 95% confidence interval from .520 to .931 (F(9,486)= 4.644, p<.000). Based on MANCOVA test analysis, the researchers have rejected the null hypothesis. The study has demonstrated that the Multiple Intelligence Activity flip module has increased the scores of multiple intelligences tests for treatment groups.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Xu ◽  
Baohua Su ◽  
Wenhui Zhang ◽  
Hao Sun ◽  
Deng Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Cross-table lateral (CL) radiography is aconvenientandfeasible method toassess cup version angle (VA) after total hip arthroplasty; however, the pelvic tilt (PT) may contribute to its measurement inaccuracy.We sought (1) to determinethe effect of the PT on cup version measurement on CL radiography and (2) to develop a method for reducing measurement errors caused by the PT.Methods: Two groups of VAswere measured respectively on 3D simulatedCL images and CL radiographs. Based on the data, we created a corrective formula to convert the radiographic measurements into values approximating the actual VA under a natural pelvic position. The corrected valueswere compared with computed tomography (CT) measurements to verified the corrective formula. Results:There was a high correlation between the measurements and PTs. For each 1-degree increased in the PT, the VA decreased by 0.76° (R²=0.995, p<0.001). The VA measurements corrected by our equation was in high agreement with the CT-measured valueswithreferenceto the corresponding PT (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.988, p<0.001), which was in sharp contrast to that without PT control (ICC=0.454, p=0.203).Conclusions: ThePT may contribute to cup version measurement inaccuracies on CL radiography. Our mathematical algorithm can serve as a reliable method to improve the accuracy of CL radiography.


Author(s):  
Bartlomiej Burzynski ◽  
Tomasz Jurys ◽  
Michalina Knapik ◽  
Kamil Burzynski ◽  
Paweł Rzymski ◽  
...  

IntroductionThis study is designed to assess the percentage share of musculus obliquus externus abdominis, musculus obliquus internus abdominis and musculus transversus abdominis activity among women with stress urinary incontinence using ultrasonography.Material and methodsMaterial and methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of prospective collected data of 84 women aged 23-62 years old. In the study group are women suffering from grade 1 or 2 stress urinary incontinence according to the Stamey classification, the control group consists of women with no micturition disorders. The abdominal muscles activity was measured by using the ultrasound imaging with assessment of muscle thickness.ResultsThe analysis of musculus obliquus externus abdominis in anterolateral abdominal wall activity shows a statistically significant difference between study and control group concerning isometric tension of abdominal muscles (p=0,012) and lower part of abdomen tension (p=0,004). Women with stress urinary incontinence present a higher activity of the musculus obliquus externus abdominis than controls. In the case of the musculus obliquus internus abdominis, statistically significant differences were shown during tension of the lower part of the abdomen (p=0,024). Comparison of activity of the musculus transversus abdominis between study and control groups shows a statistically significant difference during isometric tension of abdominal muscles (p=0,018).ConclusionsThe pattern of activity of the assessed muscles differs between the study group and the control group. In the study group, the activity pattern is concerning the higher activity of the musculus obliquus externus abdominis and the lower activity of the musculus obliquus internus abdominis and musculus transversus abdominis.


Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Arthur E. Lynch ◽  
Robert W. Davies ◽  
Philip M. Jakeman ◽  
Tim Locke ◽  
Joanna M. Allardyce ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability of peak force in the isometric squat across the strength spectrum using coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). On two separate days, 59 healthy men (mean (SD) age 23.0 (4.1) years; height 1.79 (0.7) m; body mass 84.0 (15.2) kg) performed three maximal effort isometric squats in two positions (at a 120° and a 90° knee angle). Acceptable reliability was observed at both the 120° (CV = 7.5 (6.7), ICC = 0.960 [0.933, 0.977]) and 90° positions (CV = 9.2 (8.8), ICC = 0.920 [0.865, 0.953]). There was no relationship between peak force in the isometric squat and the test-retest reliability at either the 120° (r = 0.052, p = 0.327) or 90° (r = 0.014, p = 0.613) positions. A subgroup of subjects (n = 17) also completed the isometric squat test at a 65° knee angle. Acceptable reliability was observed in this position (CV = 9.6 (9.3), ICC = 0.916 [0.766, 0.970]) and reliability was comparable to the 120° and 90° positions. Therefore, we deem isometric squat peak force output to be a valid and reliable measure across the strength spectrum and in different isometric squat positions.


2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201317
Author(s):  
Philip S. Helliwell ◽  
William Tillett ◽  
Robin Waxman ◽  
Laura C. Coates ◽  
Mel Brooke ◽  
...  

Objective Evaluation of a psoriatic arthritis (PsA), multidimensional, patient completed disease flare questionnaire (FLARE). Methods The FLARE questionnaire was administered to 139 patients in a prospective observational study. The ‘gold standard’ of flare was based on patient opinion. Test-retest was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Disease activity was measured by the PASDAS, GRACE, CPDAI and DAPSA. Results The most common symptoms of a PsA flare were musculoskeletal, followed by fatigue, frustration, loss of function and an increase in cutaneous symptoms. The test-retest ICC for the FLARE questionnaire was 0.87 (95% CI 0.72 – 0.94). The optimum cut-off to identify a flare of disease was 4/10 (sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.76; area under curve 0.85). For those patients scoring 4 or above, the mean score for the composite measures was as follows (score for those not reporting a flare in brackets): PASDAS, 5.3 ± 1.3 (3.1 ± 1.6); GRACE, 4.5 ± 1.2 (2.2 ± 1.4); CPDAI, 8.9 ± 2.5 (4.7 ± 3.1); DAPSA, 38.2 ± 20.3 (16.8 ± 14.9). In a new flare the increase in composite measure score was calculated as follows; 1 for PASDAS and GRACE, 2 for CPDAI, 7 for DAPSA. Moderate agreement was found between the definition of flare using the cut-off of 4, indicated by subjects in a separate question. Conclusion A PsA flare displays escalation of symptoms and signs across multiple domains; the FLARE questionnaire has external validity both in terms of composite disease activity and overall patient opinion of the state of their condition.


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