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Repeatability of Myotonometric Muscle Measurements in Infants Aged 0-3 Months: Toward an Objective Tool Supporting
Agnieszka Ptak1, Agnieszka Owczarek2, Agnieszka Browarska3
1Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Science, al. Paderewskiego 35, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland.
Insights
Myotonometry shows moderate to high repeatability for assessing infant muscle properties by 6-12 weeks of age. Early newborn measurements (1-3 days) had lower repeatability, indicating later assessment is more reliable for developmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Medicine
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Early detection of infant developmental disorders is critical for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
- Assessing mechanical muscle properties in infants is key for identifying potential therapeutic needs.
- A research gap exists in understanding myotonometry's reliability for infants aged 0-3 months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest repeatability of myotonometry measurements in infants aged 0-3 months.
- To assess age-related differences in myotonometry's reliability across three time points.
- To determine the suitability of myotonometry for early infant muscle assessment.
Main Methods:
- Recruited healthy newborns from physiological pregnancies (Apgar 8-10).
- Conducted myotonometry measurements on days 1-3, week 6, and week 12 of life.
- Analyzed repeatability of muscle tone, elasticity, stiffness, relaxation, and creep parameters.
Main Results:
- Newborns (1-3 days): Moderate repeatability for tone, elasticity, relaxation, creep; poor for stiffness.
- Week 6: High repeatability for stiffness and elasticity; moderate for tone, creep, relaxation.
- Week 12: High repeatability for tone, stiffness, relaxation, creep; moderate for elasticity.
Conclusions:
- Myotonometry demonstrates good to excellent repeatability for infant muscle assessment from 6 weeks onwards.
- Measurements in the first few days of life show lower repeatability, suggesting caution for early diagnostic use.
- Myotonometry is a potentially valuable tool for monitoring infant muscle development from 6 weeks of age.
Abstract:
Background: Early detection of developmental disorders in infants is an important topic for scientists and clinicians, but above all for children and their families. Early detection of changes in the mechanical properties of muscles is crucial for starting therapeutic processes. This study aims to fill the research gap regarding the use of myotonometry in the infant patient group (aged 0-3 months). The study aimed to evaluate the test-retest repeatability of myotonometric measurements in infants at three time points, with particular attention to potential age-related differences. Methods: The study group consisted of healthy newborns born from physiological pregnancies with an Apgar score of 8-10 points. The studies began on the 1st-3rd day of life and lasted until the 12th week in cycles every 6 weeks. Results: In the study conducted on the 1st-3rd day of life, the repeatability of the studied parameters can be described as moderate (muscle tone, elasticity, relaxation, and creep) or poor (stiffness). Measurements conducted in the 6th week of life show high repeatability of muscle stiffness and elasticity or moderate repeatability of muscle tone, creep, and relaxation time. Measurements in the 12th week of life of the infants may be considered as high repeatability of muscle tone, stiffness, relaxation time, and the creep parameter, and moderate muscle elasticity. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the usefulness of using myotonometric measurement for infants from the 6th and 12th week of age in the studied parameters, confirmed by the high repeatability of measurements. Whereas in the group of newborns aged 1-3 days, the repeatability of all analyzed parameters can be described as moderate or low.
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