Reliability of ultrasonographic measurement of the supraspinatus thickness at different angles of shoulder abduction in patients with stroke.
Hualong Xie, Kuan Lu, Guochen Lyu and 7 others
PMID 32184543WHAT IT FOUND
In 20 patients after stroke, ultrasound measurements of supraspinatus thickness on both sides were very repeatable when taken 24 hours apart at shoulder abduction of 0°, 30°, and 60°.
Key findings
01All reported reliability values were greater than 0.93 on the hemiplegic and normal sides at 0°, 30°, and 60° of shoulder abduction.
02The reported reliability values were 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, 0.97, 0.98, and 0.98.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 20 patients with stroke. All measurements were performed by the same physical therapist, and between-assessor reliability was not assessed. Reliability was tested only after 24 hours, so stability over longer periods or after clinical change was not shown. Some patients needed assistance to move the arm, so the tested angles were not always fully active. The paper reports measurement repeatability and thickness values, not diagnostic accuracy, pain, function, or treatment outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest related to this work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that ultrasonographic supraspinatus thickness predicts shoulder pain, subluxation progression, or treatment response. It only tested whether one physical therapist's measurements were repeatable 24 hours later.