Reversal Time of Postprandial Changes of the Thickness of Abdominal Muscles Employing Ultrasound Measurements Publisher Pubmed



Noormohammadpour P^{1, 2} ; Ansari M^{1, 3} ; Mansournia MA⁴ ; Rostami M^{1, 3} ; Nourian R^{1, 3} ; Kordi R^{1, 3} Show Affiliations
Source: Manual Therapy Published:2015

Abstract

Objectives: Low thickness of Transversus Abdominis, Internal Oblique and External Oblique muscles may play a role in development of low back pain. Ultrasonography is increasingly utilized to measure the thickness of these muscles. Prandial state has recently been proposed as a confounding factor in such measurements. We aimed to compare the reversal time of the postprandial thickness of these muscles with preprandial values. The measurement errors of ultrasonographic values were also assessed in both immediate preprandial and postprandial states. Design: Interventional cross-sectional study. Methods: The ultrasonographic thickness of lateral abdominal muscles was measured at rest and during abdominal drawing-in maneuver in 20 healthy participants before and after consumption of a specific meal. Postprandial ultrasound measurements continued every 15min until their thickness reached 95% of their preprandial values. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in postprandial thickness of these muscles (all p-values <0.001 on both sides). The reversal times were 1.5, 1.3 and 1.2h for Transversus Abdominis, Internal Oblique, and External Oblique muscles, respectively. Standard Error of Measurement and Smallest Detectable Change were in the range of 0.007-0.013mm and 0.020-0.035mm, respectively. Conclusions: To limit the effects of prandial state on the sonographic thickness of lateral abdominal muscles, we recommend measuring these values at least 1.5-2h after food consumption. For the future studies, controlling the participants according to their prandial state is recommended. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.