Abbreviated Publication of Results

The Myotonometer^® has been under development since 1993. In addition to extensive engineering and software testing, the Myotonometer^® has been tested for clinical efficacy. Results have shown that the Myotonometer^® is a valid and highly reliable instrument. In addition, its ease of use permits clinicians to obtain measurements of muscle tone, compliance, strength and spasticity within minutes. The time required to obtain measurements to a printout of the results for patient records is less than 5 minutes.

Myotonometer^® measures of muscle strength/paresis correlated very well with surface EMG recordings obtained during isometric contractions. Myotonometer^® measurements correlated well to the modified Ashworth Scale but were able to discriminate among various levels of spasticity better. It was capable of distinguishing small changes in muscle tone and paresis of both the ipsi- and contra-lesional extremities. The Myotonometer^® had greater intra- and inter-rater reliability than the modified Ashworth Scale. Reliabilities were established for healthy, non-disabled individuals and also for novice users assessing children with cerebral palsy.

The Myotonometer^® easily distinguished differences in muscle tone and paresis between non-disabled subjects and those with Upper Motor Neuron Syndromes. The Myotonometer^® also effectively monitored the effects of Botulinum Toxin A injections over time so that it was possible to identify the time of peak effectiveness, a rebound effect and a return to pre-injection values. It was also able to quantify whether or not muscle weakness accompanied changes in muscle tone following injection. Please refer to Publications for a complete published reference list.