Reliability of a Measure of Muscle Extensibility in Fullterm and Preterm Newborns

SUMMARY

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of a measure of muscle extensibility developed by Tardieu, de la Tour, Bret, and Tardieu (1982) in fullterm and preterm newborns.

Method: Twenty-one fullterm infants and twenty preterm infants were examined by two physical therapists. Each physical therapist measured A_O (shortened position of the muscle belly and lengthened tendon) and A_Max (maximum muscle belly and tendon length) of the gastrocnemius/soleus muscle twice in succession. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (2,2) and (3,2).

Results: Inter-rater reliability between the two examiners ranged from .86 to .97 and test-retest reliability on the two measures ranged from .91 to .98.

Conclusions: The results suggest that this measure of muscle extensibility is reliable in the gastrocnemius/soleus muscle with fullterm and preterm newborns. Further research is needed to investigate if differences in muscle extensibility are present between fullterm and preterm infants and the relationship between muscle extensibility and active movement.

Key Words:

• Preterm infants
• motor development
• musculoskeletal
• range of motion
• reliability

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marybeth Grant Beuttler

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.