S. Conradi et Lo. Ronnevi, PITFALLS IN THE EVALUATION OF ISOMETRIC STRENGTH (TQNE) DATA IN ALS, Journal of the neurological sciences, 139, 1996, pp. 60-63
The phase of rapid reduction of isometric strength in single muscle gr
oups was identified and its slope was calculated in patients studied w
ith the TQNE method. This parameter was studied in the extremities and
in respiration in 4 ALS patients and 4 PMA (progressive spinal muscle
atrophy) patients. The slopes of the strength reduction in these musc
le groups and their mean values exceeded the slopes of the correspondi
ng megascores; this difference was larger in the extremities than in r
espiration. It is concluded that repeated spirometry gives a good expr
ession of reduction of muscle strength in ALS, and is well suited for
monitoring treatment effects.