Reliability of Myotonometry in the Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Thenar Muscles

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims: (i) to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability of myotonometry in assessing the mechanical properties of the thenar muscles [abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and flexor pollicis brevis (FPB)] in healthy subjects; (ii) to investigate the relationship between reaction time, left/right discrimination, grip strength and these mechanical properties.

Detailed Description
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Investigating the mechanical properties of hand muscles using simple applicable methods such as myotonometry can help to evaluate the effectiveness of programs used in hand rehabilitation, optimize the skills of performance-oriented individuals such as athletes and musicians, and create individualized treatment and training programs. In musculoskeletal-related pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome, studying the mechanical properties of the thenar muscles may be important to better understand hand grip strength, hand function and mobility. However, the use of myotonometer in the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the thenar muscles requires a reliability study. Accordingly, the aims of our study are: (i) to determine the intra- and inter-observer reliability of myotonometry in assessing the mechanical properties of the thenar muscles [abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and flexor pollicis brevis (FPB)] in healthy subjects; (ii) to investigate the relationship between reaction time, left/right discrimination, grip strength and these mechanical properties.

Official Title
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Reliability of Myotonometry in the Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Thenar Muscles: Relationship With Handgrip Strength, Reaction Time and Left/Right Discrimination

Conditions
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Muscular Tone

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: being between 18 and 35 years of age having normal upper extremity function having a Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) score > 26 points Exclusion criteria: any neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disease history of upper limb injury upper limb surgery within the last 6 months body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 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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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle tone (Hz) | The muscle tone which is a biomechanical property of the forearm muscles will be evaluated with a portable hand-held myotonometer. This myotonometer (MyotonPRO - Tallinn, Estonia) is non-invasive and provides a quantitative assessment of a muscle's biomechanical properties. The MyotonPRO applies a short-intensity mechanical impulse on the skin overlying the muscle or facia. The tissue's response then generates a signal that is recorded, and an internal software program produces an acceleration graph. To determine the feasibility of the MyotonPRO for assessing the muscle tone of forearm muscles measurements will be performed and recorded. | Day 1 | 
| Stiffness (N/m) | The stiffness which is a biomechanical property of the forearm muscles will be evaluated with a portable hand-held myotonometer. This myotonometer (MyotonPRO - Tallinn, Estonia) is non-invasive and provides a quantitative assessment of a muscle's biomechanical properties. The MyotonPRO applies a short-intensity mechanical impulse on the skin overlying the muscle or facia. The tissue's response then generates a signal that is recorded, and an internal software program produces an acceleration graph. To determine the feasibility of the MyotonPRO for assessing the stiffness of forearm muscles measurements will be performed and recorded. | Day 1 | 
| Elasticity (Logarithmic decrement) | The elasticity which is a viscoelastic property of the forearm muscles will be evaluated with a portable hand-held myotonometer. This myotonometer (MyotonPRO - Tallinn, Estonia) is non-invasive and provides a quantitative assessment of a muscle's viscoelastic properties. The MyotonPRO applies a short-intensity mechanical impulse on the skin overlying the muscle or facia. The tissue's response then generates a signal that is recorded, and an internal software program produces an acceleration graph. To determine the feasibility of the MyotonPRO for assessing the stiffness of forearm muscles measurements will be performed and recorded. | Day 1 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grip and pinch strength | Hand grip strength will be measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer (Baseline). Pinch grip strength will be assessed using a hydraulic pinchmeter (Baseline). Standard procedures recommended by ASHT will be followed. Hand grip strength and pinch strength tests will be assessed with the elbow flexed 90 degrees as recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). | Day 1 | 
| Reaction time | BlazePod, a new technology for measuring individual reaction time (ms), will be used in the study. Participants will be asked to sit in a height-adjustable chair and position their dominant hand on the assessment table in as comfortable a position as possible. Once the participant's dominant hand is placed on the table, each pod will be placed 25 cm from the center of the hand to form a square pattern. Before starting the test, the participants will perform two practice trials in the same test setup as the real test in order to adapt to the test. Prior to the test, the mobile app will give the participant a three-second audible countdown warning and a start command. Participants will be instructed to touch the pods with the hand being tested to turn off the lights as quickly as possible and to maintain this throughout the test. | Day 1 | 
| Left/Right Judgment Task | The Left/Right Discrimination Ability (LRJT) Task test will be performed using the Recognize® tablet application (RecogniseTM application, NOI, Neuro-orthopedic Institute). The Recognize hand assessment kit tablet version iPad (9.7 inch, iPad, Apple Computers) will be downloaded and used. | Day 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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elasticity, hardness