Purpose: To report evidence for the concurrent validity and reliability of dynamic MRI techniques to evaluate in vivo joint and muscle mechanics, and to propose recommendations for their use in the assessment of normal and impaired musculoskeletal function.
Materials and methods: The search was conducted on articles published in Web of science, PubMed, Scopus, Academic search Premier, and Cochrane Library between 1990 and August 2017. Studies that reported the concurrent validity and/or reliability of dynamic MRI techniques for in vivo evaluation of joint or muscle mechanics were included after assessment by two independent reviewers. Selected articles were assessed using an adapted quality assessment tool and a data extraction process. Results for concurrent validity and reliability were categorized as poor, moderate, or excellent.
Results: Twenty articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria with a mean quality assessment score of 66% (±10.4%). Concurrent validity and/or reliability of eight dynamic MRI techniques were reported, with the knee being the most evaluated joint (seven studies). Moderate to excellent concurrent validity and reliability were reported for seven out of eight dynamic MRI techniques. Cine phase contrast and real-time MRI appeared to be the most valid and reliable techniques to evaluate joint motion, and spin tag for muscle motion.
Conclusion: Dynamic MRI techniques are promising for the in vivo evaluation of musculoskeletal mechanics; however results should be evaluated with caution since validity and reliability have not been determined for all joints and muscles, nor for many pathological conditions.