Grip strength measured by manual muscle testing lacks diagnostic accuracy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bohannon, Richard W.

Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA | Tel.: +1 910 814 4098; E-mail: bohannon@campbell.edu

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The diagnostic accuracy of manual muscle testing (MMT) has been examined- but not for grip strength. OBJECTIVE: Determine the diagnostic accuracy of MMT relative to grip dynamometry for identifying patients with weak grip strength. METHODS: This study involved the secondary analysis of grip strength data obtained from 61 patients managed in a home care setting. The concordance between weakness identified using MMT and grip dynamometry was examined. RESULTS: The agreement between MMT and dynamometry was about 70%. Kappa suggested fair agreement beyond chance. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 66.7 to 73.4 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Grip strength measured using MMT lacks sufficient diagnostic accuracy to advocate its use – at least with patients seen in a home setting.

Keywords: Manual muscle testing, dynamometry, hand, clinimetrics

DOI: 10.3233/IES-182162

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 253-256, 2018