Reliability of myotonometry in the assessment of cervico-mandibular musculature: Inter/intra-examiner and inter/intra-session reliability study.

BACKGROUND

The MyotonPRO is a valid, portable device to assess musculoskeletal tissue properties, but its reliability for cervico-mandibular muscles remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the intra/inter-rater and intra/inter-session reliability of the MyotonPRO in cervico-mandibular muscle assessment.

METHODS

A total of 30 measurements were performed on 15 healthy participants by two raters at two moments. MyotonPRO evaluated tone, stiffness, elasticity, relaxation time, and creep. Reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change.

RESULTS

Intra-rater intra-session reliability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.753-0.976). Inter-session values were moderate to good (ICC = 0.585-0.888), with excellent reliability for ECOM relaxation time (ICC = 0.955) and masseter elasticity (ICC = 0.910). Inter-rater reliability was moderate to good (ICC = 0.686-0.896).

CONCLUSION

The MyotonPRO is a reliable tool for assessing cervico-mandibular muscle mechanical properties across different raters and sessions.