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Assessing Congenital Muscular Torticollis Using Myotonometry: A Novel Approach

Derya Azim1, Gönül Acar2, Emine Atıcı3

  • 1Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Balıkesir, Turkey.

Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions
|September 1, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Myotonometry effectively measures changes in sternocleidomastoid muscle properties in infants with Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) after physiotherapy. This non-invasive tool shows significant improvements in muscle tone, stiffness, and range of motion post-treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Physical Therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Infant Biomechanics

Background:

  • Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is a common pediatric condition characterized by sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle imbalance.
  • Accurate assessment of SCM muscle properties is crucial for monitoring treatment efficacy in infants with CMT.
  • Myotonometry offers a non-invasive method to evaluate muscle biophysical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle properties in infants diagnosed with Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) using myotonometry.
  • To determine the sensitivity of myotonometry in detecting changes in SCM muscle properties following an 8-week physiotherapy program.
  • To correlate myotonometry findings with traditional measures of muscle strength and neck range of motion.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-five infants (0-12 months) with CMT underwent an 8-week physiotherapy intervention.
  • Myotonometry was used to measure SCM muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness on affected and unaffected sides before and after treatment.
  • Muscle Function Scale (MFS) and arthrodial protractor were employed to assess muscle strength and neck range of motion, respectively.

Main Results:

  • Pre-treatment, significant differences in SCM muscle tone and stiffness were observed between the affected and intact sides (p<0.05).
  • Post-treatment, intra-group analysis revealed significant improvements in muscle tone (p=0.005), elasticity (p=0.009), stiffness (p=0.009), strength (p=0.006), and neck range of motion (p=0.021).
  • Muscle tone decreased by 19.65%, stiffness by 24.99%, elasticity improved by 9.42%, passive lateral flexion increased by 59.09%, and passive rotation by 25.40%.

Conclusions:

  • Myotonometry effectively detects improvements in sternocleidomastoid muscle properties in infants with Congenital Muscular Torticollis following physiotherapy.
  • The study highlights myotonometry as a valuable clinical tool for evaluating treatment response in pediatric torticollis.
  • Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to validate these findings.
Abstract

Keywords:
Congenital Muscular TorticollisMuscle ElasticityMuscle StiffnessMuscle TonePhysiotherapy

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