Mechanical Properties of Peripheral and Accessory Respiratory Muscles in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Primary outcomes

1. M.Sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   To measure the tension of the SCM, participants will be asked to lie supine on the bed. The evaluator will mark the central point with a pencil on the line connecting the mastoid process and the clavicle bone and then take the measurement. The physiotherapist will hold the device vertically and apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

2. M. Trapezius myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   Participants will be instructed to sit comfortably in a chair with back support, lean their hips against the back of the chair, and keep their pelvis stationary with their feet on the floor and their hands in their lap. The shoulders will be in a neutral position, the knee and hip joints will be flexed to 90 degrees, and the trunk will remain upright. The measurement point of the upper trapezius is the midpoint of the connection between C7 and the acromion. The physiotherapist will hold the device vertically and apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

3. M. Biceps brachii myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   While the participants are in a supine position, measurements will be taken from the middle between the lateral acromion and the medial border of the cubital fossa. The physiotherapist will apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body by holding the device vertically. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

4. M. Pectoralis Major (PM) myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   To measure the muscular characteristics of the PM, participants will be asked to lie in a supine position with their hips neutrally positioned and their knees fully extended. The measurement point of PM is the intersection of the vertical line from the midpoint of the clavicle and the horizontal line from the axilla. The physiotherapist will hold the device vertically and apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

5. M. Rectus abdominis (RA) myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   Participants will lie in a supine position, with bilateral legs hip-knee flexed, feet supported on the bed. The muscle tone of the RA muscle portion will be measured from a point approximately 3 cm next to the belly button. The probe will be placed perpendicular to the surface and pressure will be applied until the probe turns green. The physiotherapist will hold the device vertically and apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

6. M.Rectus femoris myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   While the participants are in the supine position, measurements will be taken from the midpoint between the SIPS and the top of the patella. The physiotherapist will hold the device upright and apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

7. M.Vastus lateralis myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   While the participants are in the supine position, measurement will be taken from the midpoint of the line from the upper pole of the patella to the greater trochanter. The physiotherapist will apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body by holding the device vertically. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement

8. M. Tibialis anterior myotonometric measurement

   Time frame: 107 millisecond

   While the participants are in the supine position, measurements will be taken from the head of the fibula to the medial malleolus and 2 cm laterally from one-third of the tibia. The physiotherapist will apply downward pressure (18N) to the muscle body by holding the device upright. When the red light on the plexiglass frame of the device probe turns green, the pressure application will be stopped and will remain constant until 5 strokes are made. In every 5 beats, the duration of 1 beat is 15 ms and the time between beats is 8 ms. The SENIAM sensor location guide will be considered as a reference for the estimated motor point determination in the MyotonPRO measurement