Reproducibility of elastic modulus measurement of the multifidus using the shear wave elastography function of an ultrasound diagnostic device.
Ryo Matsuda, Tsuneo Kumamoto, Toshiaki Seko and 2 others
PMID 31527996WHAT IT FOUND
Shear wave elastography reliably measures multifidus muscle stiffness in healthy adults.
Measurements stayed consistent across neutral, flexed, and extended trunk positions, supporting its use for assessing back muscles at different angles.
Key findings
01Intraclass correlation coefficients for muscle stiffness were high (0.85 to 0.95) in the superficial layer across three trunk positions.
02Intraclass correlation coefficients for muscle stiffness were high (0.85 to 0.88) in the deep layer across three trunk positions.
03The measurement showed good reproducibility regardless of trunk angle in healthy adults.
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 11 healthy adults, so results may not apply to older people or those with lower back pain. Participants were measured only in prone positions, not in standing or sitting, which are more common functional postures. Individual differences in lumbar flexibility may have affected the measurement errors.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest declared. Funded by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17K01517.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this measurement tool is reliable for patients with lower back pain or in functional positions like standing. The study only tested healthy adults in prone positions, so its accuracy in your clinical population is not yet proven.