• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2013

The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness (MT) measurement of the psoas major (PM) using ultrasonography (US) conducted at different inward pressures of approximately .5 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.0 kg. Twelve healthy male subjects were recruited for the study. The thicknesses of both PMs of each subject were measured by two different examiners in a random manner 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 (CI). ICC (2,1) was used to determine the inter-rater reliability and ICC (3,1) was used to assess the intra-rater reliability of the MT measurement of the PM. The results indicated higher ICC values for intra-rater reliability compared to inter-rater reliability. In addition, the value for intra-rater reliability with .5 kg inward pressure [ICC=.99 (95%CI=.98~.99)] was higher compared to 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.0 kg. Other inward pressures for intra- and inter-rater reliability in current study were also demonstrated to have excellent values (ICC=.94~.99). These findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for maintaining reliability of the results when the MT of the PM is measured by different examiners in a clinical setting.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2011

Purpose: To determine the correct measurement methods of the ankle joint complex range of motion for measuring the neutral position and evaluate the rater reliability. In addition, the impact of training on the rater reliability was also assessed. Methods: The subjects were eleven healthy women, who were evaluated by two physical therapists and one physical therapist recorded the results of the study. Standard goniometer was used as the measurement tool. The ankle and subtalar joint neutral position and the active range of motion of the ankle and subtalar joint were measured. Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability measures were analyzed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability ranged from high to medium for the neutral position of the ankle joint complex. Intra-rater reliability for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion measurements was medium, while the inter-rater reliability was high. The range of motion of the subtalar joint was measured, and the intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability were low and medium, respectively Also, the intra-rater reliability was increased with formal training of the measurement techniques. Intra-rater reliability was reduced in case the raters had not undertaken the training. Conclusion: In summary, the results obtained with the measurement tools and joint measurement of position, indicate the consistency of repeated measurements made by the same observers. Under the same circumstances along with repetition of the same measurement technique during training caused an increase in the rater reliability of formally trained raters.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of navicular drop measurements by clinicians in sitting and standing positions. Methods: Fourteen subjects with pronated foot were recruited. Two physical therapists randomly assessed the same patients on different occasions but on the same day. Almost all patients were assessed on more than one day. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of navicular dropwas estimated by calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The intra-rater reliability of navicular drop measurements ranged from 0.93 to 0.87, the inter-rater reliability from 0.98 to 0.70 with the patient in standing and sitting positions. These results showed good reliability for calculated variables. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of navicular drop in standing position was higher than those of sitting position. Conclusion: Although inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of navicular drop in the sitting position was lower than in the standing position, measurement of navicular drop in the sitting position showed good reliability and was acceptable for patients who could not stand alone without assistance. We recommend that having the patient in the standing position is appropriate in navicular drop measurement.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.187-192
• /
• 2021

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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.119-123
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness (MT) measurements of the abductor hallucis (AbdH) in subjects with hallux valgus (HV), using ultrasonography performed at different inward pressures of approximately 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.0 kg, with no pressure control. Methods: Thirty-two subjects with HV were recruited. The thicknesses of both sides of the AbdH were measured randomly by two different examiners for assessment of the intra- and inter-rater reliability. The measurement values were analyzed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). ICC (2,1) was used to determine the inter-rater reliability of MT measurements of the AbdH, while ICC (3,1) was used to assess the intra-rater reliability. Results: The results showed higher ICC values for intra-rater reliability compared to inter-rater reliability, and the value for inter-rater reliability with no pressure control (ICC=0.74 [95%CI=0.53-0.87]) was smaller compared to pressures of 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2.0 kg. Other inward pressures for intra- and inter-rater reliability also showed excellent values (ICC=0.86-0.96). Conclusion: The findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for reliable results in measurement of the MT of the AbdH by different examiners in a clinical setting.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.62-70
• /
• 2015

The aims of the current study were to assess reliability of range of motion (ROM) measurement of glenohumeral internal rotation (GIR) with a pressure biofeedback stabilization (PBS) method and to compare the reliability between manual stabilization (MS) and the PBS method. In measurement of pure glenohumeral joint motion, scapular stabilization is necessary. The MS method in GIR ROM measurement was used to restrict scapular motion by pressing the palm of the tester's hand over the subject's clavicle, coracoid process, and humeral head. The PBS method was devised to maintain consistent pressure for scapular stabilization during GIR ROM measurement by using a pressure biofeedback unit. GIR ROM was measured by 2 different stabilization methods in 32 subjects with GIR deficit using a smartphone clinometer application. Repeated measurements were performed in two test sessions by two testers to confirm inter- and intra-rater reliability. After tester A performed measurements in test session 1, tester B's measurements were conducted one hour later on the same day to assess the inter-rater reliability and then tester A performed again measurements in test session 2 for confirming the intra-rater reliability. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) was applied to assess the inter-rater reliability and ICC (3,1) was applied to determine the intra-rater reliability of the two methods. In the PBS method, the intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC=.91) and the inter-rater reliability was good (ICC=.84). The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the PBS method was higher than in the MS method. The PBS method could regulate manual scapular stabilization pressure in inter- and intra-rater measuring GIR ROM. Results of the current study recommend that the PBS method can provide reliable measurement data on GIR ROM.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Two experienced physical therapists examined twenty six patients (17 male and 9 female) with an age range of 19-83 years (mean=51.9 SD=15.2). They assessed the elbow flexor/extensor muscle spasticity in the affected side. Interand intra-rater reliability of the MAS and the MTS were calculated using kappa statistics. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the angle of muscle reactions (R2-R1). Results: The intra-rater reliability of the MAS (K=0.39-0.55) and MTS (K=0.33-0.55) was fair to moderate. The inter-rater reliability was significantly higheras measured with MTS (K=0.54-0.66) in comparison with MAS (K=0.52). Intra-rater reliability of R2-R1 was moderate to almost perfect (ICC=0.52-0.86), and inter-rater reliability was substantial (ICC=0.74-0.76). Conclusion: The MTS provides higher inter-rater reliability compared with the MAS in hemiplegia patient analysis, but intra-rater reliability of both scales was not significantly different. Thus further research is needed to examine not only reliability, but also validity of these measurement systems.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability of three different methods using a drawing protractor, a digital protractor after tracing, and a CAD system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty-four artificial abutments that had been prepared by dental students were used in this study. Three dental students measured the convergence angles by each method three times. Bland-Altman plots were applied to examine the overall reliability by comparing the traditional tracing method with a new method using the CAD system. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) evaluated intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS. All three methods exhibited high intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (ICC>0.80, P<.05). Measurements with the CAD system showed the highest intra-rater reliability. In addition, it showed improved inter-rater reliability compared with the traditional tracing methods. CONCLUSION. Based on the results of this study, the CAD system may be an easy and reliable tool for measuring the abutment convergence angle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the test-retest, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) when applied to children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Subjects were out-patient children with cerebral palsy at four CP clinics in Gyeonggyi-do and Chungcheong nam-do. For test-retest and inter-rater reliability studies, the PBS was used twice on 7 separate days by twenty-four children with CP. To assess intra-rater reliability, 10 CP subjects were selected by random sampling. Four pediatric-trained physical therapists with 2-13 years of clinical experience scored the children’s performance blindly, while replaying videotaped data. Results: There was no significant difference in total scores (ICC 3,1=0.89, 0.93, 0.90, and 0.91) measured by each of the four therapists on two occasions. The Inter-rater reliability assessed the 1st and 2nd time was high (1stICC 3,1=0.91, 2nd ICC 3,1=0.93). The intra-rater reliability measured by each of the four therapists using the 2nd scores was also high (ICC 3,1=0.98, 0.99, 0.97, and 0.98). Conclusion: The PBS is reliable. We believe that it can be used in characterizing children with CP.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.168-177
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Brain surface intensity model (BSIM)-based cortical thickness analysis does not require complicated 3D segmentation of brain gray/white matters. Instead, this technique uses the local intensity profile to compute cortical thickness. The aim of the present study was to evaluate intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of BSIM-based cortical thickness analysis using images from elderly participants. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy elderly participants (ages, 55-84 years) were included in this study. High-resolution 3D T1-spoiled gradient recalled-echo (SPGR) images were obtained using 3T MRI. BSIM-based processing steps included an inhomogeneity correction, intensity normalization, skull stripping, atlas registration, extraction of intensity profiles, and calculation of cortical thickness. Processing steps were automatic, with the exception of semiautomatic skull stripping. Individual cortical thicknesses were compared to a database indicating mean cortical thickness of healthy adults, in order to produce Z-score thinning maps. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated in order to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities. Results: ICCs for intra-rater reliability were excellent, ranging from 0.751-0.940 in brain regions except the right occipital, left anterior cingulate, and left and right cerebellum (ICCs = 0.65-0.741). Although ICCs for inter-rater reliability were fair to excellent in most regions, poor inter-rater correlations were observed for the cingulate and occipital regions. Processing time, including manual skull stripping, was $17.07{\pm}3.43min$. Z-score maps for all participants indicated that cortical thicknesses were not significantly different from those in the comparison databases of healthy adults. Conclusion: BSIM-based cortical thickness measurements provide acceptable intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. We therefore suggest BSIM-based cortical thickness analysis as an adjunct clinical tool to detect cortical atrophy.