scholarly journals Inter and Intra-Rater Reliability of Measuring Photometric Craniovertebral Angle Using a Cloud-Based Video Communication Platform

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rylan Cote ◽  
Cassandra Vietas ◽  
Megan Kolakowski ◽  
Kayla Lombardo ◽  
Jacob Prete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Angle Measurement ◽  
Video Communication ◽  
Photometric Measurement ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Communication Platform ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Craniovertebral Angle

Objective: Due to social distancing guidelines during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, most providers and patients have wanted to avoid close contact. This makes physical therapy (PT) assessments difficult because of the lack of empirical evidence about the reliability of various clinical measurements performed in a virtual environment. One such procedure is the photometric measurement of craniovertebral (CV) angle. Craniovertebral angle measurement is usually performed in an outpatient setting and is defined as the acute angle formed between a straight line connecting the spinous process of C7 to the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line passing through the spinous process of the C7. Although the photometric measurement of CV angles is considered both valid and reliable in the clinics, no empirical evidence exists about the CV angle measurement reliability when performed in a virtual environment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the inter- and intra-rater reliability of photometric CV angle measurement using a cloud-based video communication platform. Number of Subjects: 66 subjects (57 females). Methods: All measurements were performed by two final year PT students who had completed the musculoskeletal part of the curriculum and were blinded to each other’s measurements. Each subject was photographed in two postures over a HIPAA-compliant video-based telehealth platform: (1) normal/ relaxed posture and (2) ideal posture (posture the subject considered good). Student researcher 1 measured the CV angle in both the relaxed posture and ideal posture, while student researcher 2 measured the CV angle only in the relaxed posture. Each subject's CV angle measurement was performed three times on three separate days and the means were used for further analysis. The shape of the CV angle frequency distribution was assessed using kurtosis and skewness values. Rater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and interpreted based on the guidelines provided by Portney and Watkins (2009). Results: The CV angles were normally distributed in both relaxed and ideal postures. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of relaxed posture was 50.7o ± 6.3o with kurtosis and skewness of 0.67 and -0.74 respectively. The mean and SD of ideal posture was 55.5o ± 5.4o, with kurtosis and skewness of 0.1 and -0.54 respectively. The ICC for inter-rater reliability in the relaxed posture was 0.88 and the ICC for intra-rater reliability for relaxed posture was 0.91.  Conclusion: Craniovertebral angles were normally distributed in the sample. An acceptable level of inter- and intra-rater reliability can be attained when measuring CV angle using a cloud-based video communication platform.  

scholarly journals Validity and reliability of smartphone applications for measurement of hip rotation, compared with three‐dimensional motion analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phob Ganokroj ◽  
Nuchanun Sompornpanich ◽  
Pichitpol Kerdsomnuek ◽  
Bavornrat Vanadurongwan ◽  
Pisit Lertwanich
Keyword(s):  
Internal Rotation ◽  
Motion Analysis ◽  
Supine Position ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Angle Measurement ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Hip Rotation

Abstract Background Measurement of hip rotation is a crucial clinical parameter for the identification of hip problems and the monitoring of symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of two smartphone applications is valid and reliable for the measurement of hip rotation. Methods An experimental, cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess passive hip internal and external rotation in three positions by two examiners. The hip rotational angles were measured by a smartphone clinometer application in the sitting and prone positions, and by a smartphone compass application in the supine position; their results were compared with those of the standard, three-dimensional, motion analysis system. The validities and inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of the smartphone applications were evaluated. Results The study involved 24 participants. The validities were good to excellent for the internal rotation angles in all positions (ICC 0.81–0.94), good for the external rotation angles in the prone position (ICC 0.79), and fair for the sitting and supine positions (ICC 0.70–0.73). The measurement of the hip internal rotation in the supine position had the highest ICC value of 0.94 (0.91, 0.96). The two smartphone applications showed good-to-excellent intra-rater reliability, but good-to-excellent inter-rater reliability for only three of the six positions (two other positions had fair reliability, while one position demonstrated poor reliability). Conclusions The two smartphone applications have good-to-excellent validity and intra-rater reliability, but only fair-to-good inter-rater reliability for the measurement of the hip rotational angle. The most valid hip rotational position in this study was the supine IR angle measurement, while the lowest validity was the ER angle measurement in the sitting position. The smartphone application is one of the practical measurements in hip rotational angles. Trial registration Number 20181022003 at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th) which was retrospectively registered at 2018-10-18 15:30:29.

scholarly journals Effect of preservation of the C-6 spinous process and its paraspinal muscular attachment on the prevention of postoperative axial neck pain in C3–6 laminoplasty

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiji Mori ◽  
Takayoshi Ueta ◽  
Takeshi Maeda ◽  
Itaru Yugué ◽  
Osamu Kawano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Paraspinal Muscle ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Axial Neck Pain ◽  
Process Length ◽  
Preservation Technique

OBJECT Axial neck pain after C3–6 laminoplasty has been reported to be significantly lesser than that after C3–7 laminoplasty because of the preservation of the C-7 spinous process and the attachment of nuchal muscles such as the trapezius and rhomboideus minor, which are connected to the scapula. The C-6 spinous process is the second longest spinous process after that of C-7, and it serves as an attachment point for these muscles. The effect of preserving the C-6 spinous process and its muscular attachment, in addition to preservation of the C-7 spinous process, on the prevention of axial neck pain is not well understood. The purpose of the current study was to clarify whether preservation of the paraspinal muscles of the C-6 spinous process reduces postoperative axial neck pain compared to that after using nonpreservation techniques. METHODS The authors studied 60 patients who underwent C3–6 double-door laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; the minimum follow-up period was 1 year. Twenty-five patients underwent a C-6 paraspinal muscle preservation technique, and 35 underwent a C-6 nonpreservation technique. A visual analog scale (VAS) and VAS grading (Grades I–IV) were used to assess axial neck pain 1–3 months after surgery and at the final follow-up examination. Axial neck pain was classified as being 1 of 5 types, and its location was divided into 5 areas. The potential correlation between the C-6/C-7 spinous process length ratio and axial neck pain was examined. RESULTS The mean VAS scores (± SD) for axial neck pain were comparable between the C6-preservation group and the C6-nonpreservation group in both the early and late postoperative stages (4.1 ± 3.1 vs 4.0 ± 3.2 and 3.8 ± 2.9 vs 3.6 ± 3.0, respectively). The distribution of VAS grades was comparable in the 2 groups in both postoperative stages. Stiffness was the most prevalent complaint in both groups (64.0% and 54.5%, respectively), and the suprascapular region was the most common site in both groups (60.0% and 57.1%, respectively). The types and locations of axial neck pain were also similar between the groups. The C-6/C-7 spinous process length ratios were similar in the groups, and they did not correlate with axial neck pain. The reductions of range of motion and changes in sagittal alignment after surgery were also similar. CONCLUSIONS The C-6 paraspinal muscle preservation technique was not superior to the C6-nonpreservation technique for preventing postoperative axial neck pain.

scholarly journals Mapping intended spinal site of care from the upright to prone position: an interexaminer reliability study

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cooperstein ◽  
Morgan Young
Keyword(s):  
Prone Position ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Manual Muscle Testing ◽  
Muscle Testing ◽  
Interexaminer Reliability ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Upright examination procedures like radiology, thermography, manual muscle testing, and spinal motion palpation may lead to spinal interventions with the patient prone. The reliability and accuracy of mapping upright examination findings to the prone position is unknown. This study had 2 primary goals: (1) investigate how erroneous spine-scapular landmark associations may lead to errors in treating and charting spine levels; and (2) study the interexaminer reliability of a novel method for mapping upright spinal sites to the prone position. Methods Experiment 1 was a thought experiment exploring the consequences of depending on the erroneous landmark association of the inferior scapular tip with the T7 spinous process upright and T6 spinous process prone (relatively recent studies suggest these levels are T8 and T9, respectively). This allowed deduction of targeting and charting errors. In experiment 2, 10 examiners (2 experienced, 8 novice) used an index finger to maintain contact with a mid-thoracic spinous process as each of 2 participants slowly moved from the upright to the prone position. Interexaminer reliability was assessed by computing Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, standard error of the mean, root mean squared error, and the absolute value of the mean difference for each examiner from the 10 examiner mean for each of the 2 participants. Results The thought experiment suggesting that using the (inaccurate) scapular tip landmark rule would result in a 3 level targeting and charting error when radiological findings are mapped to the prone position. Physical upright exam procedures like motion palpation would result in a 2 level targeting error for intervention, and a 3 level error for charting. The reliability experiment showed examiners accurately maintained contact with the same thoracic spinous process as the participant went from upright to prone, ICC (2,1) = 0.83. Conclusions As manual therapists, the authors have emphasized how targeting errors may impact upon manual care of the spine. Practitioners in other fields that need to accurately locate spinal levels, such as acupuncture and anesthesiology, would also be expected to draw important conclusions from these findings.

Clinical Results Of A Lamina With Spinous Process And An Iliac Graft As Bone Grafts In The Surgical Treatment Of Single-Segment Lumbar Pyogenic Discitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyang Zhong ◽  
Xinjie Liang ◽  
Xiaolin Wang ◽  
Ke Tang ◽  
Tianji Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Bone Grafts ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Single Segment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B ◽  
Segmental Angle

Abstract Background: A retrospective study investigated and compared the results of a lamina withspinous process (LSP) and an iliac graft (IG) as bone grafts in single-segment lumbar pyogenic discitis (LPD) through one-stage-posterior-only approach with radical debridement and internal instrumentation.Methods: Data from 37 patients were reviewed. A LSP was placed in 17 patients (group A), and an IG was implemented in 20 patients (group B). The surgery time, surgery hemorrhage, hospital stay, drainage, and follow-up (FU) were reviewed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, segmental angle, intervertebral height and bony fusion time were compared preoperatively and at the final FU.Results: All patients were followed-up for a mean of 27.94±2.35 months in group A and 30.29±1.89 months in group B, without a difference. The mean age was younger in group A than in group B (P<0.05). The surgery time, surgery hemorrhage, and hospitalization cost were lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05), except for the hospital stay and drainage time. Fever occurred in 10 patients in group A and 12 patients in group B. The ESR, CRP level, and VAS and ODI scores were significantly decreased, and there were no significant differences between the groups at the final FU. The distribution of bacterial agents in blood culture was 1 case of Aerobacter cloacae, 2 of Staphylococcus aureus, 2 of Escherichia coli, and 1 of Streptococcus viridis in group A and 1 of S. aureus，1 of Staphylococcus warneri and 2 of Klebsiella pneumoniae in group B. Pyogenic infection was observed in the pathological findings of all patients. No significant difference was found in the mean segmental angle or mean intervertebral height preoperation and at the final FU between the groups.Conclusion: The use of LSP as a new bone graft is reliable, safe, and effective for surgical management for the LPD while surgery is proposed as a good management strategy for LPD in carefully selected patients.

A Decentralized Directory Service for Peer-to-Peer-Based Telephony

2011 ◽  
pp. 330-344
Author(s):  
Fabian Stäber ◽  
Gerald Kunzmann ◽  
Jörg P. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Video Communication ◽  
Peer Communication ◽  
Voice Communication ◽  
Tree Algorithm ◽  
Communication Platform ◽  
Directory Service ◽  
Peer To Peer Systems

Decentralized peer-to-peer systems fit well as the underlying infrastructure for IP-telephony, as they provide the scalability for a large number of participants, and are able to handle the limited storage and bandwidth capabilities on the clients. We studied a commercial peer-to-peer-based decentralized communication platform supporting video communication, voice communication, instant messaging, et cetera. One of the requirements of the communication platform is the implementation of a user directory, allowing users to search for other participants. In this chapter, we present the Extended Prefix Hash Tree algorithm that enables the implementation of a user directory on top of the peer-to-peer communication platform in a fully decentralized way. We evaluate the performance of the algorithm with a real-world phone book. The results can be transferred to other scenarios where support for range queries is needed in combination with the decentralization, self-organization, and resilience of an underlying peer-to-peer infrastructure.

Is the location of the signal intensity weighted centroid a reliable measurement of fluid displacement within the disc?

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Abdollah ◽  
Eric C. Parent ◽  
Michele C. Battié
Keyword(s):  
Signal Intensity ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Fluid Displacement ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Standard Error Of Measurement

Abstract Degenerated discs have shorter T2-relaxation time and lower MR signal. The location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid reflects the water distribution within a region-of-interest (ROI). This study compared the reliability of the location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid to mean signal intensity and area measurements. L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs were measured on 43 mid-sagittal T2-weighted 3T MRI images in adults with back pain. One rater analysed images twice and another once, blinded to measurements. Discs were semi-automatically segmented into a whole disc, nucleus, anterior and posterior annulus. The coordinates of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid for all regions demonstrated excellent intraclass-correlation-coefficients for intra- (0.99–1.00) and inter-rater reliability (0.97–1.00). The standard error of measurement for the Y-coordinates of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid for all ROIs were 0 at both levels and 0 to 2.7 mm for X-coordinates. The mean signal intensity and area for the whole disc and nucleus presented excellent intra-rater reliability with intraclass-correlation-coefficients from 0.93 to 1.00, and 0.92 to 1.00 for inter-rater reliability. The mean signal intensity and area had lower reliability for annulus ROIs, with intra-rater intraclass-correlation-coefficient from 0.5 to 0.76 and inter-rater from 0.33 to 0.58. The location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid is a reliable biomarker for investigating the effects of disc interventions.

INTRA-RATER AND INTER-RATER RELIABILITY STUDY OF A MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR THE PATHWAY OF THE SUPRASPINATUS INTRAMUSCULAR TENDON BY 3.0 TESLA MRI IMAGES: THE SHEAR FORCE ANGLE ANTERIOR POSTERIOR

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 1850009
Author(s):  
Yohei Kanno ◽  
Hajime Toda ◽  
Tsutomu Horiuchi ◽  
Masaki Katayose
Keyword(s):  
Shear Force ◽  
Measurement Method ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
3.0 Tesla ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a measurement method for the pathway of the supraspinatus intramuscular tendon by 3.0 tesla MRI images. Methods: The scapula and intramuscular tendon extraction DICOM data was made to extract only a scapula domain and intramuscular tendon domain. The shear force angle anterior posterior (SFA-AP) was measured as the pathway of supraspinatus intramuscular tendon with respect to the glenoid plane on three-dimensional (3D) models of the bone and intramuscular tendon. SFA-AP of supraspinatus was measured on 3D models of the bone and intramuscular tendon. The mean and standard deviation of SFA-AP of supraspinatus was calculated. Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability were evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of the mean (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC). Inter-rater reliability was evaluated by three raters. Results: As for intra-rater reliability, SFA-AP of supraspinatus measured averaged [Formula: see text], with ICC (1,1) of 0.978, with ICC (1,3) of 0.993, with SEM of 0.53, with MDC of 1.46[Formula: see text]. As for inter-rater reliability, SFA-AP of supraspinatus measured averaged [Formula: see text] (rater1), SFA-AP measured averaged [Formula: see text] (rater2), SFA-AP measured averaged [Formula: see text] (rater3), with ICC (2,1) of 0.896, with ICC (2,3) of 0.963, with SEM of 1.11, with MDC of 3.09[Formula: see text]. Conclusions: 3D models of the bone and intramuscular tendon were evaluated as intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities. SFA-AP of supraspinatus is guaranteed by one measurement.

Are Mexican Net Discount Rates Stationary? An Application for Lost Earnings Damages Involving Undocumented Workers

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Avalos ◽  
R. Sean Alley
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Discount Rates ◽  
Undocumented Workers ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Relevant Case ◽  
Mexican Government ◽  
The Mean

AbstractThis paper provides empirical evidence on the behavior of various Mexican Net Discount Rates (NDRs) by examining the time series properties of several yields on Mexican government securities and annual wages for nine industrial sectors. Results indicate that NDRs are characterized as a stationary series around a shift in its mean. The forecast for the mean of the NDRs should be based on the period after the time of the shift, which took place in 1994. The discussion addresses relevant case law and the application of the NDR approach to the calculation of damages for Mexican undocumented workers as an effort to equip forensic economists with the tools to conduct such estimates.

Virtual Environment Training Therapy for Arm Motor Rehabilitation

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 732-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamberto Piron ◽  
Paolo Tonin ◽  
Francesco Piccione ◽  
Vincenzo Iaia ◽  
Elena Trivello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Functional Independence Measure ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Reaching Movements ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Kinematic Measures

Enhanced feedback provided by a virtual reality system has been shown to promote motor learning in normal subjects. We evaluated whether this approach could be useful for treating patients with motor deficits following brain lesions. Fifty subjects with mild to intermediate arm impairments due to stroke were selected for the study. The patients received treatment daily for one month, consisting of an hour of virtual-environment therapy with enhanced feedback. Before and after the therapy, we assessed the degree of motor impairment and autonomy in daily living activities using the Fugl-Meyer scale for the upper extremities and Functional Independence Measure, respectively. We also analyzed the velocity, duration, and morphology of a sequence of reaching movements, finally comparing the kinematic measures with the scores obtained on the clinical scales. The rehabilitation therapy yielded significant improvements over baseline values in the mean scores on the Fugl-Meyer and Functional Independence Measure scales. The mean Fugl-Meyer score correlated significantly with the duration and velocity of reaching movements. The collated data indicate that motor recovery in post-stroke patients may be promoted by the enhanced feedback provided in a virtual environment and that kinematic analysis of their movements provides reliable measures of motor function changes in response to treatment.

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