title: Intra- and inter-tester reliability and reference values for hand strength.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Division of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. Anneli.Peolsson@hul.liu.se
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peolsson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hedlund
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results