Advances in assessing myotonia: Can sensor-engineered glove have a role?

Non-dystrophic (NDMs) and Dystrophic Myotonias (DMs) are diseases characterized by the presence of myotonia with or without muscle weakness. A standardized myotonia assessment is important to more objectively quantify the handgrip myotonia. We screened 10 patients affected by NDM and 10 patients with DM, using the sensor-engineered glove (SEG). The time required to perform a complete finger extension (grip myotonia time, GMT) at maximum velocity (MV) after maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was evaluated through an ad hoc protocol including rest, exercise, and ice effects on handgrip myotonia. We observed a general trend to GMT increase when applying the ice block and a GMT decrease when repeating GM movements, at individual level in both NDM and DM patients. SEG is an automated, non-invasive, quick, and easy technique for evaluating handgrip myotonia in NDM and DM patients. SEG could, therefore, be considered a promising tool to evaluate myotonia and monitor treatment efficacy for clinical trials.