# Possibilities of Using Tensiomyography to Assess Early Changes in Muscle Function in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis—Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This pilot study explores using tensiomyography to detect early muscle function changes in multiple sclerosis patients by analyzing muscle stiffness and asymmetry.

## Contribution

The study introduces tensiomyography as a potential tool for early assessment of muscle function in multiple sclerosis patients.

## Key findings

- MS patients showed significantly increased stiffness in the biceps brachii muscle compared to healthy individuals.
- Functional asymmetry in the triceps brachii muscle was significant between sides but not between antagonist muscles.
- Tensiomyography revealed measurable differences in muscle function in MS patients.

## Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the functional status of the biceps and triceps brachii muscles using tensiomyography in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The study involved 19 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) aged 19–46 years and 24 healthy individuals aged 20–25 years. Each person underwent a tensiomyographic examination of the biceps and triceps brachii muscles in both upper limbs. The following indices were analysed: contraction time (Tc), delay time (Td), muscle displacement (Dm), and bilateral and antagonist functional asymmetry index. Results: For the biceps brachii muscle, a statistically significant difference in muscle stiffness was observed between the MS and healthy groups. These differences were noted on both the left and right sides (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The results of the tensiomyographic examination of the arm muscles in the group of patients with MS showed increased stiffness of the biceps brachii muscle. The functional asymmetry index in the triceps brachii muscle showed a significant difference between the sides, but no differences were noted in the functional asymmetry index between the antagonist muscles.