Goo M1, Johnston L2, Tucker K1
1The University of Queensland, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brisbane, Australia, 2The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Australia
Background: Up to 5-8% of the paediatric population is estimated to be living with atypical muscle tone, however there are currently no clinical guidelines that identify objective instrumented tools to measure atypical muscle tone severity. Valid and reliable measurement of muscle mechanical properties is needed to improve diagnostic, prognostic and treatment outcome assessment for a range of paediatric populations.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine psychometric evidence and potential clinical utility for children of instrumented tools that measure skeletal muscle mechanical properties.
Methods: We searched four electronic databases to identify studies that
i) reported psychometric data,
(ii) for tools measuring individual muscle mechanical properties of stiffness, elasticity and/or viscoelasticity, and
(iii) in a full text article in English after 1950. Level of psychometric evidence was rated using the COnsensus-based Standard for the selection of Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.
Results: Sixty-three articles were included, which reported data for 5 devices: two that utilised acoustic radiation (Aixplorer® and ACUSON S3000), and three that utilised compression force (MyotonPRO, Myoto-3 and Myotonometer). Four devices demonstrated strong reliability: Aixplorer® (intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest), MytonPRO and Myoton-3 (test-retest), and Myotonometer (inter-rater). In validity, the Aixplorer® demonstrated strong construct validity. Acoustic devices have strong clinical utility for children since administration is non-invasive and suitable for both superficial and deep muscles. Compression devices are smaller and lower cost, but is limited to superficial muscles and may be impacted by tissues overlying the muscle. Psychometric evidence for children was available for Aixplorer® and Myotonometer.
Conclusion(s): This study identified 5 devices reported to measure muscle mechanical properties that had sound reliability and validity data available. The Aixplorer® reported the highest psychometric quality and sound clinical utility for measuring muscle mechanical properties in children. Future research needs to test children with various types of muscle stiffness.
Implications: Muscle tone is one of the most basic elements of movement function. As well as clinical assessment, Physiotherapists need an objective measure to determine the severity of atypical tone and its contribution to movement dysfunction. Data from this review supports use of the Aixplorer®, which employs an ultrasound elastography technique, as an objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable measure of muscle stiffness in children.
Keywords: Muscle tone, Assessment, Children
Funding acknowledgements: N/A
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine psychometric evidence and potential clinical utility for children of instrumented tools that measure skeletal muscle mechanical properties.
Methods: We searched four electronic databases to identify studies that
i) reported psychometric data,
(ii) for tools measuring individual muscle mechanical properties of stiffness, elasticity and/or viscoelasticity, and
(iii) in a full text article in English after 1950. Level of psychometric evidence was rated using the COnsensus-based Standard for the selection of Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.
Results: Sixty-three articles were included, which reported data for 5 devices: two that utilised acoustic radiation (Aixplorer® and ACUSON S3000), and three that utilised compression force (MyotonPRO, Myoto-3 and Myotonometer). Four devices demonstrated strong reliability: Aixplorer® (intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest), MytonPRO and Myoton-3 (test-retest), and Myotonometer (inter-rater). In validity, the Aixplorer® demonstrated strong construct validity. Acoustic devices have strong clinical utility for children since administration is non-invasive and suitable for both superficial and deep muscles. Compression devices are smaller and lower cost, but is limited to superficial muscles and may be impacted by tissues overlying the muscle. Psychometric evidence for children was available for Aixplorer® and Myotonometer.
Conclusion(s): This study identified 5 devices reported to measure muscle mechanical properties that had sound reliability and validity data available. The Aixplorer® reported the highest psychometric quality and sound clinical utility for measuring muscle mechanical properties in children. Future research needs to test children with various types of muscle stiffness.
Implications: Muscle tone is one of the most basic elements of movement function. As well as clinical assessment, Physiotherapists need an objective measure to determine the severity of atypical tone and its contribution to movement dysfunction. Data from this review supports use of the Aixplorer®, which employs an ultrasound elastography technique, as an objective, non-invasive, valid and reliable measure of muscle stiffness in children.
Keywords: Muscle tone, Assessment, Children
Funding acknowledgements: N/A
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: N/A
Ethics committee: N/A
Reason not required: This is a systematic review of instrumented tools to measure muscle mechanical properties in children.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
