This validation study compares clinical palpation and ultrasonographic measurements of tissue compressibility using standardized phantom models. Operators with different levels of clinical and ultrasound experience perform repeated, blinded assessments across multiple sessions. The study evaluates accuracy, reliability, agreement between modalities, and learning effects over time, aiming to support standardized and more objective assessment of tissue compressibility in clinical practice.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
Repeated ultrasonographic compression measurements and palpation of standardized phantom models
Inselspital Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Accuracy and reliability of palpation and ultrasonographic compression measurements
Intraoperator and interoperator accuracy and reliability of palpation and ultrasonographic compression measurements on two phantom models as intraclass correlation coefficient and linear mixed-effects model
Time frame: Over 3 sessions, seperated by at least 1 day and at most 1 week (study duration: 3 days to 2 weeks)
Effect of operator characteristics on the measurement accuracy and reliability.
Operator characteristics (age, gender, level of experience) will be introduced as fixed effects in a linear mixed-effects model with a random effect for participants to account for repeated measurements
Time frame: Over 3 sessions, seperated by at least 1 day and at most 1 week (study duration: 3 days to 2 weeks)
Assess the learning curve in palpation and ultrasound measurements
Changes in accuracy of both modalities using linear mixed-effects model with a random effect for participants to account for repeated measurements. To test possible confounding factors, they will be introduced as fixed effects.
Time frame: Over 3 sessions, seperated by at least 1 day and at most 1 week (study duration: 3 days to 2 weeks)
Correlate the compression measurements with palpatory assessment
Correlation of both modalities using linear mixed-effects model with a random effect for participants to account for repeated measurements. To test possible confounding factors, they will be introduced as fixed effects.
Time frame: Over 3 sessions, seperated by at least 1 day and at most 1 week (study duration: 3 days to 2 weeks)
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