Article

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 degrees with a standard deviation of
17.3 degrees at the first measurement and a mean of 45.8 degrees with a standard
deviation of 16.2 degrees 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.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS