Reliability of maximal grip strength measurements and grip strength recovery following a stroke

Anne Martine Bertrand; Katia Fournier; Marie-Gabrielle Wick Brasey; Marie-Laure Kaiser; Rolf Frischknecht; Karin Diserens

doi:10.1016/j.jht.2015.04.004

Reliability of maximal grip strength measurements and grip strength recovery following a stroke

J Hand Ther. 2015 Oct-Dec;28(4):356-62; quiz 363. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.04.004. Epub 2015 May 9.

Authors

Anne Martine Bertrand¹, Katia Fournier², Marie-Gabrielle Wick Brasey³, Marie-Laure Kaiser³, Rolf Frischknecht⁴, Karin Diserens⁵

Affiliations

¹ Haute école de travail social et de la santé, EESP, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Chemin des Abeilles 14, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: martine.bertrand@eesp.ch.
² BMI Healthcare, Hand Therapy Service, London Region, 3 Paris Garden, Southwark, SE1 8ND London, UK.
³ Occupational Therapy Service, Health Department, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Av. Pierre-Decker 5, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
⁴ Unit of Neurorehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Service NPR, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Av. Pierre-Decker 5, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
⁵ Acute Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

PMID: 26206167
DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.04.004

Abstract

Study design: Clinical measurement.

Purpose: The test-retest reliability of maximal grip strength measurements (MGSM) is examined in subjects for 12 weeks post-stroke together with maximal grip strength recovery and the maximal-grip and upper-extremity strength measurements' relationship with capacity and performance test scores.

Methods: A Jamar dynamometer and the Motricity Index (MI) were used for strength measurements. The Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory and ABILHAND questionnaire for evaluating capacities and performances.

Results: MGSM were reliable (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients = 0.97-0.99, Minimal Detectable Differences = 2.73-4.68 kg). Among the 34 participants, 47% did not have a measurable grip strength one week post-stroke but 50% of these recovered some strength within the first eight weeks. The MGSM and MI scores were correlated with scores of tests of capacity and performance (Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficients = 0.69-0.94).

Conclusions: MGSM are reliable in the first weeks after a stroke.

Level of evidence: N/A.

Keywords: Grip strength; Reliability; Stroke; Upper extremity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Disability Evaluation
Female
Hand Strength / physiology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength Dynamometer
Recovery of Function / physiology*
Reproducibility of Results
Stroke / physiopathology*
Stroke Rehabilitation