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Test‐Retest Reliability of 3D Ultrasound Measurements of the Thoracic Spine
Author(s) -
Fölsch Christian,
Schlögel Stefanie,
Lakemeier Stefan,
Wolf Udo,
Timmesfeld Nina,
Skwara Adrian
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.01.009
Subject(s) - medicine , test (biology) , reliability (semiconductor) , thoracic spine , spine (molecular biology) , physical therapy , ultrasound , physical medicine and rehabilitation , radiology , surgery , geology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , paleontology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Objective To explore the reliability of the Zebris CMS 20 ultrasound analysis system with pointer application for measuring end‐range flexion, end‐range extension, and neutral kyphosis angle of the thoracic spine. Setting The study was performed within the School of Physiotherapy in cooperation with the Orthopedic Department at a University Hospital. Participants The thoracic spines of 28 healthy subjects were measured. Methods Measurements for neutral kyphosis angle, end‐range flexion, and end‐range extension were taken once at each time point. The bone landmarks were palpated by one examiner and marked with a pointer containing 2 transmitters using a frequency of 40 kHz. A third transmitter was fixed to the pelvis, and 3 microphones were used as receiver. The real angle was calculated by the software. Bland‐Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement, intraclass correlations (ICC), standard deviations of mean measurements, and standard error of measurements were used for statistical analyses. The test‐retest reliability in this study was measured within a 24‐hour interval. Main Outcome Measurements Statistical parameters were used to judge reliability. Results The mean kyphosis angle was 44.8° with a standard deviation of 17.3° at the first measurement and a mean of 45.8° with a standard deviation of 16.2° the following day. The ICC was high at 0.95 for the neutral kyphosis angle, and the Bland‐Altman 95% limits of agreement were within clinical acceptable margins. The ICC was 0.71 for end‐range flexion and 0.34 for end‐range extension, whereas the Bland‐Altman 95% limits of agreement were wider than with the static measurement of kyphosis. Compared with static measurements, the analysis of motion with 3‐dimensional ultrasound showed an increased standard deviation for test‐retest measurements. Conclusions The test‐retest reliability of ultrasound measuring of the neutral kyphosis angle of the thoracic spine was demonstrated within 24 hours. Bland‐Altman 95% limits of agreement and the standard deviation of differences did not appear to be clinically acceptable for measuring flexion and extension.