Publications

• The MyotonPRO introduces an innovative and non-invasive approach for comprehensively characterizing the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles. This advanced device allows for the assessment of various key parameters, including stiffness, tone (frequency), elasticity (decrement), relaxation time, and creep, providing a thorough analysis of muscle functionality.
• With its new technology, the MyotonPRO enables a precise and detailed understanding of the mechanical behavior of muscles, contributing valuable insights into their dynamic properties and potential functional implications.

Background and Objectives: Muscle properties are critical for performance and injury risk, with changes occurring due to physical exertion, aging, and neurological conditions. The MyotonPRO device offers a non-invasive method to comprehensively assess muscle biomechanical properties. This systematic review evaluates the reliability of MyotonPRO across various muscles for diagnostic purposes.

Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Ovid (Med), Epistemonikos, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials platform. Studies assessing the reliability of MyotonPRO across different muscles were included. A methodological quality assessment was performed using established tools, and reviewers independently conducted data extraction. Statistical analysis involved summarizing intra-rater and inter-rater reliability measures across muscles.

Results: A total of 48 studies assessing 31 muscles were included in the systematic review. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were consistently high for parameters such as frequency and stiffness in muscles of the lower and upper extremities, as well as other muscle groups. Despite methodological heterogeneity and limited data on specific parameters, MyotonPRO demonstrated promising reliability for diagnostic purposes across diverse patient populations.

Conclusions: The findings suggest the potential of MyotonPRO in clinical assessments for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of muscle properties. Further research is needed to address limitations and enhance the applicability of MyotonPRO in clinical practice. Reliable muscle assessments are crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving patient care in various healthcare settings.

Keywords: MyotonPRO, reliability, intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, muscle properties

In conclusion, the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability across multiple parameters indicate that these structures can be consistently assessed in both healthy individuals and patients with specific conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. These findings carry substantial implications for clinical practice, as the reliable measurement of muscle and ligament parameters can contribute to accurate diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, and monitoring of therapeutic interventions.