Reliability of quantitative ultrasound measurement of flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus muscles in stroke

Aim: This study aims to investigate reliability of quantitative ultrasound measurement of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscles in stroke. Materials & methods: Patients with a history of stroke were recruited. FDP and FDS muscles on both upper extremities were investigated with ultrasound. Two independent assessors acquired images and analyzed them using a program and Heckmatt scale. Results: Forty-eight patients were included. The inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficient for echo intensities was calculated as 0.91 while intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient as 0.80. For Heckmatt scale, the inter-rater reliability for FDS was Kw = 0.74 (p < 0.0005) and for FDP it was Kw = 0.73 (p < 0.0005). Mean echo intensity values showed significant strong correlations with Heckmatt scores (r = 0.663 and r = 0.633 with both p values <0.001). Conclusion: Quantitative ultrasound imaging of FDS and FDP is a reliable method to demonstrate echo intensity changes of muscles in stroke.