Psychometric properties of a standardized protocol of muscle strength assessment by hand-held dynamometry in healthy adults: a reliability study.

Background: Maximal isometric muscle strength (MIMS) assessment is a key component of physiotherapists' work. Hand-held dynamometry (HHD) is a simple and quick method to obtain quantified MIMS values that have been shown to be valid, reliable, and more responsive than manual muscle testing. However, the lack of MIMS reference values for several muscle groups in healthy adults with well-known psychometric properties limits the use and the interpretation of these measures obtained with HHD in clinic.

Predictors of participation restriction over a 9-year period in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Purpose: For slowly progressive neuromuscular disease, prognostic approach and long-term monitoring of participation is a crucial part of rehabilitation services. To improve the prognostic approach, professionals must identify individuals at risk of having higher participation restriction. This study aimed to identify personal and environmental predictors of participation restriction over nine years in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Relationships between Lower Limb Muscle Strength Impairments and Physical Limitations in DM1.

Background: Although adult and late-onset DM1 phenotypes DM1 present distinct lower limb weaknesses portraits, resulting physical limitations have never been described separately for each phenotype.

Objective: To characterize the lower limb weaknesses and physical limitations among the DM1 adult and late-onset phenotypes separately and to document the contribution of weaknesses on mobility to optimize the management of this population.

Methods: The strength of four muscle groups among 198 participants was quantified.

A 9-year follow-up study of quantitative muscle strength changes in myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disorder presenting with major muscle impairments. However, few studies have addressed muscle strength progression using quantitative methods. The aims of this study were to document muscle strength changes in eight muscle groups among adults with DM1 over a 9-year period, and to compare this progression between phenotypes (adult and late-onset) and sex.

Responsiveness of performance-based outcome measures for mobility, balance, muscle strength and manual dexterity in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Objective: To assess changes and responsiveness in outcome measures of mobility, balance, muscle strength and manual dexterity in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Design: A 9-year longitudinal study conducted with 113 patients.

Methods: The responsiveness of the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, quantitative muscle testing, grip and pinch-grip strength, and Purdue Pegboard Test was assessed using criterion and construct approaches.

Is one trial enough for repeated testing? Same-day assessments of walking, mobility and fine hand use in people with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Performance-based assessments of physical function are essential in people with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) to monitor disease progression and evaluate interventions. Commonly used are the six-minute walk test, the 10 m-walk test, the timed up-and-go test, the timed-stands test, grip strength tests and the nine-hole peg test. The number of trials needed on a same-day test occasion and whether the first, best or average of trials should be reported as result is unknown.

Lower limb muscle strength impairment in late-onset and adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 phenotypes.

Introduction: Lower limb strength has never been characterized separately for late-onset and adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) phenotypes.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to: (1) describe and compare lower limb strength between the 2 DM1 phenotypes; and (2) compare the impairment profiles obtained from 2 assessment methods [manual (MMT) and quantitative (QMT) muscle testing] among 107 patients.

Results: Both MMT and QMT showed more pronounced weakness in the adult phenotype.

Lower limb muscle impairment in myotonic dystrophy type 1: the need for better guidelines.

In myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), leg muscle weakness is a major impairment. There are challenges to obtaining a clear portrait of muscle strength impairment. A systematic literature review was conducted on lower limb strength impairment in late-onset and adult phenotypes to document variables which affect strength measurement.