INTRA- AND INTER-TESTER RELIABILITY AND REFERENCE VALUES FOR HAND STRENGTH

TLDR

The study assessed handgrip and indexgrip strength reliability using the Jamar dynamometer in healthy volunteers and cervical radiculopathy patients, and established age‑ and sex‑specific reference values in 101 healthy adults aged 25‑64. Handgrip and indexgrip measurements with the Jamar dynamometer showed high reliability (ICC 0.85‑0.98) and, with sex‑based reference values, provide a reliable method for objectively assessing cervical radiculopathy patients, highlighting sex as a stronger determinant of hand strength than age, height, or weight.

Abstract

The intra- and inter-tester reliability for measurement of handgrip strength and indexgrip strength using the Jamar dynamometer was investigated in 32 healthy volunteers, and the intra-tester reliability in 13 patients with cervical radiculopathy. The results from the reliability studies showed that handgrip and indexgrip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer is a reliable method (ICC values 0.85-0.98) and can be recommended for use in clinical practice. Age- and sex-specific reference values for handgrip strength and indexgrip strength were measured with the Jamar dynamometer in 101 randomly selected healthy volunteers, aged 25-64 years. The results from the reference value study showed that sex is a more important determinant of hand strength than age, height and body weight. The reference values for hand strength improve the potential for objective evaluation of patients with arm/hand disorders caused by cervical radiculopathy.