title: Functional measuring of muscle tone.
abstract: Testing muscle fields requires functional conditions. The procedure for measuring has to put the musculature under conditions as they occur in physiological functioning. Furthermore a measuring instrument should be economical and easy to handle in the course of the daily routine. The Myofunctional Therapist presently has a number of measuring instruments available. Some of them need to be adjusted before every operation. Others give only comparative readings, having no absolute reference. Others measure states which do not represent normal functions of the musculature and therefore do not allow conclusions about the state of the muscle in relation to function. Some apparatuses are highly sensitive and can only be handled by highly trained persons. In this category we find the highly precise electronic equipment being highly expensive to purchase and to repair. It seems that the Function Tonometer is in all points compatible when waging the pros and cons. It directly reads the actual muscle tone under conditions which occur during normal function. The device can be used for diagnostics and documentation as well as in functional training. The output is a defined mechanical range (pressure in mbar) and needs not be adjusted before each measurement. Used in treatment, it motivates by visual feedback. The results are reproducible at any time, at any location, and by any person, even young patients. The instrument has an easy handling, favorable costs in purchase and operation, and is not easily damaged. The assembly is not electrically operated and thus is not under restrictive rules nor the need of an energy supply. The Function Tonometer is indeed a flexible and useful tool to aid in diagnosis, documentation, and treatment procedures.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiele
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods