Intra- and inter-rater reliability of micro manual muscle tester of the lower extremity in children with diplegia cerebral palsy

Abstract

Objectives: The Micro Manual Muscle Tester (MMMT) is a Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD). The current study aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of this device. Methods: To determine the reliability of the MMMT, two previously trained assessors to work with HHD performed HHD measurements on 7 muscle groups of the lower extremities (hip flexors, hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantar-, and dorsiflexors) using the make-test method. The study participants were evaluated thrice by two occupational therapists in 10 separate days. Results: All the inter- and intra-correlations were reported as excellent (ICC > 0.90), except for ICC2,3 in the hip flexor muscles; and ICC2,3 in the dorsiflexor muscles that were similarly good (ICC=0.75-0.89) at a high significance level (P < 0.001). Discussion: The MMMT had an acceptable reliability. Furthermore, this device is useful for investigating changes in strength after rehabilitation interventions.