J Korean Phys Ther.  2021 Aug;33(4):187-192. 10.18857/jkpt.2021.33.4.187.

Intra and Inter-Rater Measurement Reliability of Tibialis Anterior Muscle (TA) Thickness using the Ultrasonography Spring Gauge Technique

• Hwang BH
• Jang TJ
• Jeon IC

• KMID: 2519943
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2021.33.4.187

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness measurement of the TA using ultrasonography (US) conducted at different inward pressures of approximately 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, and no pressure control.
Methods
Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Two different examiners measured the thicknesses of the dominant TA of each subject randomly to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability. The measurement values were analyzed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and coefficient of variance.
Results
All intra-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9. Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9 with 0.5 and 1.0 kg of inward pressure. In contrast, Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed poor reliability (0.23) with no pressure control of inward pressure.
Conclusion
The findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for reliable results when the muscle thickness of the TA is measured by different examiners in a clinical setting.

Keyword

Inter-rater Reliability; Intra-rater Reliability; Spring Gauge; Tibialis anterior; Ultrasonography