Myotonometer Intra- and Interrater Reliabilities
By Leonard, Charles T., PhD; Deshner, William P.; Romo, James W.; Suoja, Eric S.; Fehrer, Steven C., PhD; Mikhailenok, Eugene, L., PhD; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 6, pp. 938-932Publication Date: June 2003
Study assessing the intra- and interrater reliabilities of the Myotonometer, which is a computerized, electronic device that quantifies muscle stiffness. Tests of muscle tone and stiffness are useful to in assessing various conditions, including the effects of progressive central nervous system disorders, the fitness of an elite athlete, the effects of long periods of bedrest, and treatment intervention effectiveness. Two raters used the Myotonometer to evaluate participants’ 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 using Design II intraclass correlation coefficients. The authors concluded that Myotonometer measurements had high to very high intra- and interrater reliabilities for measurements of the lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles.
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
