LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that muscle ultrasound can be reliably performed at the patient bedside by novice assessors with minimal training. The primary objective of this study was to determine the interrater reliability of muscle ultrasound image acquisition by physical therapists and physical therapist students. Secondarily, this study was designed to elucidate the process for training physical therapists to perform peripheral skeletal muscle ultrasonography. METHODS This was a cross-sectional observational study. Four novice and 1 expert participated in the study. Novice sonographers engaged in a structured training program prior to implementation. Ultrasound images were obtained on the biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles in 3 groups: patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients on the hospital ward, and participants in the outpatient gym who were healthy. Reliability of image acquisition was analyzed in comparison to the expert sonographer. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values ranged from 0.76 to 0.97 with an average for all raters and all muscles of 0.903, indicating excellent reliability of image acquisition. In general, the experienced physical therapist had higher or similar ICC values compared with the physical therapist students in relation to the expert sonographer. CONCLUSIONS Excellent interrater reliability for ultrasonography was observed, regardless of the level of experience, severity of patient illness, or patient setting. These findings indicate that the use of muscle ultrasound by physical therapists can accurately capture reliable images in patients with a range of illness severity and different clinical practice settings across the continuum of care. IMPACT Physical therapists can utilize ultrasound to obtain images to assess muscle morphology.