Introduction: Diastasis recti abdominis is defined as an increased separation of the recti abdominis muscle along the linea alba. Ultrasonography is a reasonably priced, non-invasive, repeatable and safe method for measuring the excessive separation and use in pregnancy. The obtained values are in millimetres; however, such changes cannot be detected by palpation. Purpose: To determine the intra-rater and the inter-rater reliability in measuring diastasis recti abdominis in pregnant women with the use of an ultrasound machine. Methods: The research included 20 pregnant volunteers. Two qualified physiotherapists performed measurements 4.5 cm above the superior border of the umbilicus and 4.5 cm below the inferior border of the umbilicus, as well as in the position of a relaxed abdominal wall and in performing a crunch. Measurements were made using an ultrasound machine Samsung Medison UGEO H60 and linear ultrasound probe. The reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: ICC value in measurements above the umbilicus and in position of a relaxed abdominal wall, was ICC = 0.976 for the first rater and for the second rater it was ICC = 0.924. In measurements below the umbilicus and in the position of a relaxed abdominal wall, the first rater reached the value of ICC = 0.599, for the second rater the value was negative, ICC = - 5.170. In measurements above the umbilicus in performing a crunch, for the first rater it was ICC = 0.918 and for the second rater it was ICC = 0.951. The ICC value in measurements below the umbilicus in performing a crunch, for the first rater was ICC = 0.535, and for the second one ICC = 0.907. The reliability among raters for measurements in position of a relaxed abdominal wall above the umbilicus was ICC = 0.690 and below the umbilicus, ICC = 0.620. In measurements in performing a crunch above the umbilicus, it was ICC = 0.754 and below the umbilicus, it was ICC = 0.753. Discussion and conclusion: Based on acquired results, we can conclude that the intra-rater reliability above the umbilicus in both positions was very good. In measurements below the umbilicus, the reliability was average to very good. Reliability among raters in measurements above and below the umbilicus and in both positions was good.
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