Background
Quantifying the biomechanical properties of the thenar muscle can provide valuable insight into hand assessment methods.
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the reliability of myotonometer measurements in determining the biomechanical properties (tone, stiffness and elasticity) of thenar muscles in healthy individuals and explore sex-based variations. Additionally, it assessed the relationship between pinch strength and these properties.
Study Design
Cross-sectional reliability study.
Methods
Fifty-five healthy young adult participants were recruited. Biomechanical properties of the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis muscles — tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (logarithmic decrement)—were measured using MyotonPRO, while pinch strength was assessed using a Baseline pinch gauge bilaterally. For intrarater reliability, the first rater (R1), conducted two sets of measurements at 30-minute intervals. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated by the second rater (R2) performing a set of measurements between R1's two sets.
Results
Fifty participants [mean age = 22.84 (1.01) years, mean body mass index = 20.86 (2.82) kg/m²] completed the study. Test-retest reliability for the biomechanical properties of the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis muscles showed good to excellent consistency (ICCs: 0.78-0.97). Inter-rater reliability demonstrated sufficient consistency across (ICCs: 0.78-0.93). Sex-based differences were observed on the nondominant side, with males exhibiting lower logarithmic decrement scores for both muscles (p < 0.05). Negative correlations were found between pinch strength and abductor pollicis brevis logarithmic decrement scores on both sides (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The study confirms the reliability of MyotonPRO in evaluating the mechanical properties of the thenar muscle in healthy subjects, with good to excellent consistency. Sex-based differences in elasticity, along with the positive correlation between pinch strength, underscore the importance of sex-specific considerations, suggesting elasticity may be considered a key factor in grip strength improvement.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrial.gov/NCT06004635
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