Kylie Tucker – Abstract

P18  Assessment of individual muscle mechanical properties: a systematic review

Tucker K[1,2], Goo M[1] and Johnston L[2]

  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia

 Aims and Methods: The aim of this study was to examine psychometric evidence, clinical utility, and potential use for children of instrumented tools that measure individual skeletal muscle mechanical properties. Studies that include tools measuring individual muscle stiffness, elasticity, and/or viscoelasticity were identified from four databases. Psychometric evidence of each tool was determined by COnsensus-based Standard for the selection of Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.

Results and Interpretation: Sixty-three articles were included with 5 devices, including: Aixplorer, ACUSON S3000, MyotonPRO, Myoto-3, and Myotonometer. All devices estimate muscle mechanical properties by measuring tissue displacement following acoustic radiation or compression force. Strong reliability was identified for Aixplorer (intra-rater, inter-rater, and test-retest), MytonPRO and Myoton-3 (test-retest), and Myotonometer (inter-rater). Strong and moderate construct validity were identified for Aixplorer and MyotonPRO, respectively. The Aixplorer and ACUSON S3000 have strong clinical utility given the non-invasive administration for superficial and deep muscle. The MyotonPRO, Myoton-3, and Myotonometer are clinically useful given their small size and lower cost. Psychometric evidence for children was only available for Aixplorer and Myotonometer. The Aixplorer and MyotonPRO were supported by sound psychometric evidence. Of these, Aixplorer has the greatest psychometric data and therefore can be suggested to measure muscle elasticity in adults and children.