Physical Therapist Inter-Rater Reliability in Neuro-Muscle Ultrasound in Critically Ill Patients (NCT07032870) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Physical Therapist Inter-Rater Reliability in Neuro-Muscle Ultrasound in Critically Ill Patients
Chile37 participantsStarted 2025-02-08
Plain-language summary
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the feasibility and inter-rater reliability of muscle and peripheral nerve ultrasound for the early detection of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in critically ill patients.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Can ICU physical therapists consistently measure muscle and nerve ultrasound variables such as muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, pennation angle, and echogenicity in critically ill patients?
Do clinical scales (MRC-SS and FSS-ICU) show inter-evaluator agreement and correlate with ultrasound findings?
Participants are adult ICU patients at Clínica INDISA who are undergoing routine neuromuscular assessments by trained physical therapists. Each patient will be evaluated by three independent raters using ultrasound and standardized clinical scales. Data will be collected and analyzed to determine inter-rater reliability and correlations between clinical and imaging findings.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (≥18 years old) admitted to the Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Clínica INDISA.
* Conscious and clinically stable at the time of assessment.
* Able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known allergy to ultrasound gel.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m².
* Pre-existing neuromuscular disease.
* Continuous renal replacement therapy or severe hepatic coagulopathy.
* Platelet count \< 20,000/µL.
* Lower limb amputation or recent fractures.
* Ongoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment with corticosteroids.
* Epileptic status or pregnancy.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Inter-rater reliability of quadriceps muscle ultrasound measurements
Timeframe: Assessed once within 60 days following ICU admission