title: Ultrasonography for the assessment of the upper trapezius properties in healthy females: a reliability study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  to date, an assessment of morphometric features, muscle stiffness and blood flow in the upper trapezius among healthy females at rest and contraction states has not been conducted. So, in the current research, the intra-rater reliability of ultrasonographic features of upper trapezius in healthy females was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  in this study stiffness and thickness of the upper trapezius in rest and contraction states were measured by ultrasonography on 12 healthy female subjects (28.33±5.05 years old). Color Doppler imaging was used to assess muscle circulation in the rest state only. Every step and calculation of measurements was repeated 3 times with the same rater. Therefore, in total 36 measurements were done for each variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  according to the analysis, the value of intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) for total variables showed an excellent level of reliability. Thickness at contraction had maximum reliability (ICC= 0.993) and Minimum Diastolic Velocity had the lowest reliability (ICC=0.771).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the results of current research demonstrated that real time ultrasonography is a reliable method for measurement of various parameters of upper trapezius, including morphometric features, its stiffness and blood supply in non-symptomatic females. These mentioned variables can likely be used for objective assessment and provide numerical reference value for clinical plans.
authors.affiliation: PhD candidate of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hakimeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Adigozali
authors.affiliation: Research & International affairs of School of Rehabilitation, Teheran University of Medical Sciences, Teheran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shadmehr
authors.affiliation: PhD.PT, Professor, physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmail
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.affiliation: PhD.PT, Professor, Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezasoltani
authors.affiliation: MD. Radiologist, Assistant professor, radiology Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Farrokh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naderi
keywords: blood flow; stiffness; ultrasonography; upper trapezius