OBJECTIVES: To assess the intra- and interrater reliabilities of the Myotonometer, a hand-held, computerized, electronic device that quantifies muscle stiffness (tone/compliance). DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five healthy, nondisabled adults (age range, 22-42 y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two raters used the Myotonometer to evaluate subjects' lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles. Muscles were measured in a relaxed state and during a voluntary isometric contraction. Coefficients were calculated for each muscle and each condition (relaxed, contracted). Results were analyzed by using Design II intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Reliability coefficients were highest when the instrument exerted moderate to strong forces against the muscle (range, 0.50-2.00 kg; intrarater reliability R range, .84 - .99; interrater reliability R range, .75 - .96). CONCLUSIONS: Myotonometer measurements had high to very high intra- and interrater reliabilities for measurements of the lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the intra- and interrater reliabilities of the Myotonometer, a hand-held, computerized, electronic device that quantifies muscle stiffness (tone/compliance). DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five healthy, nondisabled adults (age range, 22-42 y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two raters used the Myotonometer to evaluate subjects' lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles. Muscles were measured in a relaxed state and during a voluntary isometric contraction. Coefficients were calculated for each muscle and each condition (relaxed, contracted). Results were analyzed by using Design II intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Reliability coefficients were highest when the instrument exerted moderate to strong forces against the muscle (range, 0.50-2.00 kg; intrarater reliability R range, .84 - .99; interrater reliability R range, .75 - .96). CONCLUSIONS: Myotonometer measurements had high to very high intra- and interrater reliabilities for measurements of the lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles.
Authors: Ling Jun Kong; Min Fang; Hong Sheng Zhan; Wei An Yuan; Ji Ming Tao; Gao Wei Qi; Ying Wu Cheng Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2012-11-13 Impact factor: 2.629
Authors: Brian Chin Wing Kot; Zhi Jie Zhang; Arthur Wai Chun Lee; Vivian Yee Fong Leung; Siu Ngor Fu Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-08-31 Impact factor: 3.240