Article

This literature review aimed to study the use of isokinetic testing in
patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) and to identify directions for future
research of isokinetic testing. DESIGN: The MEDLINE (January 1, 1965, to July 1,
2010), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (1980 to May 2010), and
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3,
2009) electronic databases were searched. The literature search was conducted
using the keywords muscle assessment, muscle strength, evaluation, isokinetic,
neuromuscular diseases, muscle fatigue, functional test, rehabilitation, and
literature search. Relevant references cited in the selected articles were also
considered, regardless of the year of publication. RESULTS: The search strategy
yielded 13 articles involving a variety of patients with known NMDs. All studies
demonstrated that isokinetic dynamometry is appropriate and safe for ambulatory
patients with NMDs. Isokinetic testing has proven to be reliable
(intratest/intertest correlation coefficient ranged from 0.65 to 0.98), with the
proximal muscles having the highest reliability, and sensitive to disease
progression and to the effects of various therapeutic interventions. However,
isokinetic testing has never gained wide acceptance, partly because of concerns
about stabilizing the dynamometer and the subject during the test and of the lack
of standardized protocols for isokinetic strength measurement. CONCLUSIONS:
Isokinetic testing is an important part of the comprehensive evaluation and
rehabilitation of patients with NMD. Research has demonstrated its efficacy in
providing clinically relevant information. When integrated with a complete
history, physical examination, and functional evaluation, isokinetic testing and
exercise can be a valuable tool for the clinician in the assessment,
rehabilitation, and performance enhancement of patients with NMD. Such equipment,
however, has several disadvantages, rendering it usually impractical in the
clinical setting.

Langue : ANGLAIS