Reliability and validity of a novel device for quantifying ankle dorsiflexion force in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: With emerging treatment modalities and therapeutics for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), there is a critical need for improved measures of disability. Routine clinical practice and trials will benefit from devices that are capable of objectively quantifying muscle strength/weakness. We have developed a device for measuring Tibialis Anterior (TA) force that is both objective and easy to use - the Rapid Objective Quantification - TA (ROQ-TA).

Portable fixed dynamometry to quantify ankle dorsiflexion force.

Introduction: Quantifying muscle strength is critical in clinical and research settings. A rapid and objective method is ideal. The primary objective of this study was to examine the reliability of a novel device, the rapid objective quantification- tibialis anterior (ROQ-TA), which quantifies the dorsiflexion force of the tibialis anterior, and to assess its validity against isokinetic dynamometry (IKD).