Clinical measures of handgrip limitation relate to impaired pinch grip force control after stroke

J Hand Ther. 2008 Jul-Sep;21(3):245-52; quiz 253. doi: 10.1197/j.jht.2007.10.021.

Abstract

This study examined whether clinical measures of handgrip limitation relate to laboratory measures of grip force impairment during a pinch grip, lift, and hold task post-stroke. Handgrip ability in 45 people with stroke who had residual grip ability was examined relative to 45 age-matched healthy adults. The clinical tests included items from a) the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test; b) the Motor Assessment Scale; c) the Functional Independence Measure (FIM); and d) a custom-designed survey about hand-use in daily life. The laboratory test was summarized by principal components: 1) Pre-Lift Delay and 2) Grip Force Dyscontrol. For the stroke group, a moderate to strong correlation was found between Pre-Lift Delay and each clinical measure of handgrip limitation (rs=0.70-0.85) except the FIM (rs=0.38-0.49). In contrast, Grip Force Dyscontrol was not associated with handgrip limitation on any of the clinical tests (rs=-0.08 to 0.18).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Hand Strength / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Skills / physiology
  • Pinch Strength / physiology*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Stroke / physiopathology*