Reliability of ultrasound to measure the distance between lumbar interspinous processes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the reliability of ultrasound to measure the distance between interspinous processes of the lumbar spine at the segmental level (i.e., L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5). METHODS: Ten men with no history of orthopedic diseases or dysfunctions were included in this study. In total, 720 images of the lumbar spines of participants were analyzed (10 participants, 4 segments, 3 trials, 3 positions, 2 examiners). With participants in three different positions, images of each segment specifically focused on the distance between lumbar interspinous processes. Bland-Altman analysis (BAA) was used to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: Intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values (1, 1) were found to range from 0.840 to 0.988, whereas inter-rater ICC values (2, 1) ranged from 0.605 to 0.876. BAA results confirmed a fixed bias regarding the L4-L5 of the lumbar spine segment in the flexion position. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-rater reliability decreased throughout this study; however, results showed that using ultrasound to measure the distance between lumbar segmental interspinous processes could be applied in clinical settings to evaluate lumbar segmental mobility.

Effectiveness of using an unskilled model in action observation combined with motor imagery training for early motor learning in elderly people: a preliminary study.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate a more available model for the early phase of motor learning after action observation combined with motor imagery training in elderly people. To address the purpose, we focused on a slow, unskilled model demonstrating an occasional error. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 elderly people participated in the current study and were assigned to either the unskilled or skilled model observation groups (n = 12, respectively), or the control group (n = 12). The participants in the observation groups observed the assigned a video clip of an unskilled or skilled model demonstrating a ball rotation task. During the observation, the participants were instructed to imagine themselves as the person in the video clip. The participants in the control group read a scientific paper during the equivalent period of action observation and motor imagery. We measured ball rotation performance (the time required for five rotations, the number of ball drops) in pre- and post-intervention (observation combined with motor imagery training for intervention groups or reading for control group). RESULTS: Ball rotation performance (ball rotation speed) significantly improved in the unskilled model observation group compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention for action observation using unskilled model combined with motor imagery was effective for improving motor performance during the early phase of motor learning.

Absolute and relative reliability of lumbar interspinous process ultrasound imaging measurements.

[Purpose] The intra- and inter-examiner reliabilities of lumbar interspinous process distances measured by ultrasound imaging were examined. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 10 males who had no history of orthopedic diseases or dysfunctions. Ten lumbar interspinous images from 360 images captured from 10 subjects were selected. The 10 images were measured by nine examiners. The lumbar interspinous process distance measurements were performed five times by each examiner. In addition, four of the nine examiners measured the distances again after 4 days for test-retest analysis. In statistical analysis, the intraclass correlation coefficient was used to investigate relative reliability, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to investigate absolute reliability. [Results] The intraclass correlation coefficients (1, 1) for intra-examiner reliability ranged from 0.985 to 0.998. For inter-rater reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (2, 1) was 0.969. The intraclass correlation coefficients (1, 2) for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.991 to 0.999. The Bland-Altman analysis results indicated no systematic error. [Conclusion] The results indicate that ultrasound measurements of interspinous process distance are highly reliable even when measured only once by a single person.

Validity and reliability of isometric muscle strength measurements of hip abduction and abduction with external hip rotation in a bent-hip position using a handheld dynamometer with a belt.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the relatedness, reliability, and validity of isometric muscle strength measurements of hip abduction and abduction with an external hip rotation in a bent-hip position using a handheld dynamometer with a belt. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy young adults, with a mean age of 21.5 ± 0.6 years were included. Isometric hip muscle strength in the subjects' right legs was measured under two posture positions using two devices: a handheld dynamometer with a belt and an isokinetic dynamometer. Reliability was evaluated using an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC); relatedness and validity were evaluated using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. Differences in measurements of devices were assessed by two-way ANOVA. [Results] ICC (1, 1) was ≥0.9; significant positive correlations in measurements were found between the two devices under both conditions. No main effect was found between the measurement values. [Conclusion] Our findings revealed that there was relatedness, reliability, and validity of this method for isometric muscle strength measurements using a handheld dynamometer with a belt.

Reliability and validity of an ultrasound-based imaging method for measuring interspinous process distance in the lumbar spine using two different index points.

[Purpose] This study assessed the reliability and validity of an ultrasound-based imaging method for measuring the interspinous process distance in the lumbar spine using two different index points. [Subjects and Methods] Ten healthy males were recruited. Five physical therapy students participated in this study as examiners. The L2-L3 interspinous distance was measured from the caudal end of the L2 spinous process to the cranial end of the L3 spinous process (E-E measurement) and from the top of the L2 spinous process to the top of the L3 spinous process (T-T measurement). Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to estimate the relative reliability. Validity was assessed using a model resembling the living human body. [Results] The reliability study showed no difference in intra-rater reliability between the two measurements. However, the E-E measurement showed higher inter-rater reliability than the T-T measurement (Intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.914 vs. 0.725). Moreover, the E-E measurement method had good validity (Intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.999 and 95% confidence interval for minimal detectable change: 0.29 mm). [Conclusion] These results demonstrate the high reliability and validity of ultrasound-based imaging in the quantitative assessment of lumbar interspinous process distance. Of the two methods, the E-E measurement method is recommended.

An effective model for observational learning to improve novel motor performance.

[Purpose] To investigate whether for observational learning involving a ball rotation task, an unskilled model showing clumsy finger movements is more effective than a skilled model . [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-six young adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The unskilled model observation group observed a video of a ball rotation task practiced by a person for a short time. The skilled model observation group observed another video of the same task practiced by the person for a relatively long time. The non-observation group did not observe any video. Regarding rotation speed, the unskilled model was faster than the participants' but slower than the skilled model. The unskilled model had the highest number of ball drops. [Results] After the observation, the unskilled model observation group showed significantly faster rotation speed than the other groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in the number of ball drops. [Conclusion] An unskilled model whose performance is better than the participants' is beneficial for improving motor performance but a model showing less skill than the participants is not.