Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37202551›Full record

ReviewInsights into imaging2023

Technical aspects of inter-recti distance measurement with ultrasonographic imaging for physiotherapy purposes: the scoping review.

Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik, Magdalena Rudek-Zeprzałka, Justyna Niesporek, Maciej Cebula, Jan Baron, Katarzyna Gruszczyńska, Augusto Gil Pascoal, Patrícia Mota, Daria Chmielewska

Open access · goldAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Insights into imaging, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
3.5field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Trial
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  6. Rectus diastasis is not a single entity: phenotype-specific controversies in surgical management.Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery · 2026
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik *Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Diseases, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland. a.opala-berdzik@awf.katowice.pl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2051-0185
Magdalena Rudek-ZeprzałkaDepartment of Physical Medicine, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
Justyna NiesporekInstitute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Diseases, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
Maciej CebulaDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Jan BaronDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Katarzyna GruszczyńskaDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Augusto Gil PascoalFaculty of Human Kinetics, Interdisciplinary Centre of Human Performance (CIPER), Biomechanics and Functional Morphology Laboratory (LBMF), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Patrícia MotaFaculty of Human Kinetics, Interdisciplinary Centre of Human Performance (CIPER), Biomechanics and Functional Morphology Laboratory (LBMF), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Daria Chmielewska *Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Electromyography and Pelvic Floor Muscles Assessment Laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego im. Jerzego Kukuczki w Katowicach · PLMedical University of Silesia · PLUniversity of Lisbon · PT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInter-recti distance (IRD) measurement using musculoskeletal USI has been used in physiotherapy research, in particular, to investigate pregnancy-related diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) and to seek its effective treatment methods. Severe and untreated diastasis may result in the formation of umbilical or epigastric hernias.

objectiveThis study aimed to systematically map physiotherapy-related research articles that included descriptions of IRD measurement procedures using USI to present their similarities and differences, and formulate recommendations on the procedure.

designA scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, including 49 of 511 publications from three major databases. Publications were selected and screened by two independent reviewers whose decisions were consulted with a third reviewer. The main synthesized data items were: the examinees' body position, breathing phase, measurement sites, and DRA screening methods. The final conclusions and recommendations were the result of a consensus between seven reviewers from four research centers.

resultsStudies used 1-5 measurement sites that were differently determined. IRD was measured at the umbilicus (n = 3), at its superior (n = 16) and/or inferior border (n = 9), and at different levels: between 2 and 12 cm above the umbilicus, or a third of the distance and halfway between the umbilicus and xiphoid (n = 37); between 2 and 4.5 cm below the umbilicus or halfway between the umbilicus and pubis (n = 27). Different approaches were used to screen subjects for DRA.

conclusionsThe discrepancies between the measurement procedures prevent between-study comparisons. The DRA screening method should be standardized. IRD measurement protocol standardization has been proposed. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This scoping review indicates that the inter-recti distance measurement procedures using ultrasound imaging differ between studies, preventing between-study comparisons. Based on the results synthesis, the measurement protocol standardization has been proposed. KEY POINTS: The inter-recti distance measurement procedures using USI differ between studies. Proposed standardization concerns body position, breathing phase, measurements number per location. Determination of measurement locations considering individual linea alba length is suggested. Recommended locations: umbilical top, ½ of umbilical top-xiphoid, ¼ of umbilical top-xiphoid/pubis distances. Diastasis recti abdominis diagnostic criteria are needed for proposed measurement locations.

Indexed as

Diastasis recti abdominisInter-recti distanceLinea albaMeasurement procedureUltrasonographic imaging

Identifiers

PMID37202551
PMCPMC10195962
OpenAlexW4377047465

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.