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Ultrasound imaging of the serratus anterior muscle at rest and during contraction
Author(s) -
Talbott Nancy R.,
Witt Dexter W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/cpf.12012
Subject(s) - medicine , intraclass correlation , ultrasound , sitting , limits of agreement , rest (music) , nuclear medicine , ultrasound imaging , cardiology , radiology , pathology , clinical psychology , psychometrics
Summary The purpose of this study is to describe a clinically feasible method for measuring the thickness of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging ( RUSI ) and to determine the reliability of repeated measures of that method. An exploratory clinical measurement study using a test–retest methodology was utilized to determine the reliability of the measurements in a sample of 20 healthy subjects. While sitting with the arm flexed 120°, the SA of each subject was imaged at rest, during an active hold and while holding a three pound weight. On Day 1, images were repeated three times for each condition by the same examiner. On Day 2, Examiner 1 and Examiner 2 repeated the scans. Images were examined offline by Examiner 1 with SA thickness measured superior to the most distal rib in the image. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC s) and Bland–Altman plots. The intra‐examiner reliability (same day) during rest, active hold and active hold with resistance was ICC 3,3 = 0·892; ICC 3,3 = 0·951; and ICC 3,3 = 0·869–0·971, respectively. Intra‐examiner reliability between days ranged from ICC 3,2 = 0·613 at rest to ICC 3,2 = 0·736 during active hold with resistance. Interexaminer reliability was moderate during active hold (ICC 2,2 = 0·526) and active hold with resistance (ICC 2,2 = 0·535) and poor during rest (ICC 2,2 = 0·425). This study demonstrates that SA thickness can be measured reliably using RUSI by the same examiner and suggests that active movements may increase that reliability.