Related Experiment Videos
Long-term stability of hand-held dynamometric measurements in children who have myelomeningocele
1Program in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Insights
Hand-held dynamometer measurements show excellent long-term stability in most muscle groups for children with myelomeningocele over a 23-day period, indicating high reliability for this pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Measurement
Background:
- Myelomeningocele affects muscle function, necessitating reliable assessment tools.
- Hand-held dynamometry is a common method for measuring muscle strength.
- Assessing the long-term stability of these measurements is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term stability and reliability of hand-held dynamometric measurements in children with myelomeningocele.
- To identify muscle groups with potentially lower measurement stability.
- To provide recommendations for improving measurement reliability.
Main Methods:
- Tested 30 muscle groups in 12 children with myelomeningocele.
- Measurements were taken before and after a 23-day interval.
- Statistical analysis included Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients.
Main Results:
- A majority of muscle groups demonstrated excellent long-term stability (r = .76–.98, ICC = .75–.99).
- Lower stability was observed in specific wrist, hip, and knee muscle groups.
- Upper-extremity muscles showed higher stability than lower-extremity muscles.
Conclusions:
- Hand-held dynamometry exhibits high reliability for pediatric myelomeningocele patients over a 23-day interval.
- Specific strategies like limb support and equipment modification may enhance measurement consistency.
- The hand-held dynamometer is a valuable tool for pediatric populations, warranting further research.
Abstract:
The long-term stability of hand-held dynamometric measurements was assessed in 30 muscle groups of 12 children with myelomeningocele, before and after a 23-day interval. Measurements from a majority of the muscle groups had excellent stability, based on statistical indicators of association (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients, r =.76-.98) and agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC = .75-.99). Muscle groups with lower long-term stability were the right and left wrist extensors and flexors, the left hip adductors and extensors, the left knee flexors, and the right and left knee extensors. Upper-extremity muscle groups had higher long-term stability than did lower-extremity muscle groups. The results indicate that the dynamometric measurements were highly reliable when the test-retest interval was 23 days. Other researchers have previously shown high reliability for these measurements over shorter periods of time. Improved reliability might be obtained by supporting the lower extremity during hip extension tests; padding the dynamometer end pieces, especially when testing over bony prominences; and using a smaller, digital dynamometer. The hand-held dynamometer appears to warrant use and further investigation with pediatric populations.