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

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

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Tone Abnormalities

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 50

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 51 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects must be healthy volunteers and will be recruited from the city of Toledo.

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Myotonometric and isokinetic measurement; 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?

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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Castilla-La Mancha
• Collaborators: Universidad San Jorge; Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): July 31, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 27, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): September 29, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 20, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 18, 2017
• Last Verified: November 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Assessment; Reliability; Myofascial Trigger Points; Myotonometry; Isokinetic Dynamometry
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Hypersensitivity; Congenital Abnormalities
• Other Study ID Numbers: 134A

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No