Myotonometric Measurement of Myofascial Trigger Points: Reliability, Validity and Sensitivity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aims of this study are: To examine the inter-rater reliability to assess myofascial trigger points using a myotonometer To determinate the strength of the correlation between myotonometric parameters and isokinetic parameters To evaluate the sensitivity of myotonometric measurements to detect the location of myofascial trigger points

Detailed Description
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Previous researches have used complicated and expensive methods to measure mechanical properties of muscle tone like isokinetic dynamometer. The purpose of this investigation is to establish the reliability, validity and sensitivity of a myotonometer to assess myofascial trigger points. The results of this study will verify the inter-reliability of a myotonometer device in order to evaluate muscle tone, examine correlations and associations between myotonometric measurements and isokinetic measurements and provide a measurable understanding of the location of myofascial trigger points. Assessment: Myoton device is a simple and portable tool to obtain quantitative and objective assessments of mechanical properties of muscle tone. Isokinetic dynamometric technique is considered a valid biomechanics method to measure muscle tone in non-injured subjects but isokinetic machine is a heavy and expensive equipment. Outcome measures: Myotonometric measures will include muscle frequency, decrement (elasticity) and stiffness. Isokinetic measures will include passive resistive torque to ankle dorsiflexion and dorsiflexion passive range of motion (PROM) All outcome measures will be evaluated once.

Official Title
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Myotonometric Measurement of Myofascial Trigger Points: Reliability, Validity and Sensitivity

Conditions
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Muscle Tone Abnormalities

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age range 18-55 years. Healthy volunteers. Presence of a latent medial MTrP of the soleus muscle. Being able to provide written informed consent. Being able to follow instructions and realize clinical tests. Exclusion Criteria: Any history of ipsilateral lower limb severe injury or intervention (e.g. fracture, surgical intervention). Pain or musculoskeletal injury, ligament injury, tendonitis or plantar fasciitis in the ipsilateral leg for six months previous to the evaluation. Peripheral or central nervous system neurological disease. Altered sensitivity in the studied area. Treatment of a myofascial trigger point in the sural triceps in the six months previous to the evaluation.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Myotonometric and isokinetic measurement<br>Myotonometric assessment: into the site of the latent medial myofascial trigger point of the soleus muscle and distal to the lateral medial myofascial trigger point of the soleus muscle but into the same taut band. Isokinetic assessment: triceps surae muscle tone will be quantified by measuring the passive range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion and the resistance to passive ankle dorsiflexion at slow and fast velocity. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inter-rater reliability of myotonometric measurement | In order to study the interrater reliability of the myoton, two different evaluators assess the muscle tone within two marked points using the myotonometer | Day 1 | 
| Correlation between myotonometric measurement and isokinetic measurement | Relationships among myotonometric parameters and isokinetic parameters | Day 1 | 
| Sensitivity of distinguishing the localisation of myofascial trigger points within the taut band | Ability to identify and differentiate myofascial trigger points and other points within the taut band using the myotonometer | Day 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Myofascial Trigger Points, Myotonometry, Isokinetic Dynamometry, Assessment, Reliability