Feasibility and reliability of measuring muscle stiffness in Parkinson’s Disease using MyotonPRO device in a clinical setting in Ghana

Objectives: To examine the feasibility and within-session reliability of Myoton technology to measure muscle stiff-ness objectively in people with Parkinson’s disease an outpatient settingDesign: An exploratory quantitative study design was used.Setting: The conducted physiotherapy department a Teaching Hospital Ghana. Par-ticipants were recruited from three sites.Participants: Thirty adults over 18 years increased tone (muscle stiffness) at Hoehn Yahr Stages I-III studied. Persons severe co-morbidities excluded.Intervention: There no intervention before testing. MyotonPRO device measured mechanical properties biceps brachii, flexor carpi radialis tibialis anterior muscles relaxed supine position. probe applied impulses skin, eliciting tissue oscillations. muscles’ parameters (stiffness, non-neural elasticity) recorded bilaterally. two sets (of 5 impulses) data on all examined.Results: All 30 participants (66.3±8.9 years) tested within eight weeks. Intraclass correlation co-efficients (ICC 3,2) above 0.92 for brachii 0.86 radialis.Conclusion: reliable measuring same session, indicating that only one set measurements is needed. technique feasible easy use clinical setting Ghana, potential assess effect medical interventions disease.