title: Myotonometer intra- and interrater reliabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the intra- and interrater reliabilities of the Myotonometer, a hand-held, computerized, electronic device that quantifies muscle stiffness (tone/compliance).
  
  
  METHODS
  Reliability study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five healthy, nondisabled adults (age range, 22-42 y).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two raters used the Myotonometer to evaluate subjects' lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles. Muscles were measured in a relaxed state and during a voluntary isometric contraction. Coefficients were calculated for each muscle and each condition (relaxed, contracted). Results were analyzed by using Design II intraclass correlation coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reliability coefficients were highest when the instrument exerted moderate to strong forces against the muscle (range, 0.50-2.00 kg; intrarater reliability R range, .84 - .99; interrater reliability R range, .75 - .96).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Myotonometer measurements had high to very high intra- and interrater reliabilities for measurements of the lateral gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles.
authors.affiliation: Motor Control Research Laboratory, Physical Therapy Department, University of Montana, Missoula, 59812, USA. Leonard@selway.umt.edu
authors.forename: Charles T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Deshner
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Romo
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Suoja
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fehrer
authors.forename: Eugene L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mikhailenok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry / Q000592:standards*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results