How do therapists administer the rapid exchange grip test? A survey.
The rapid exchange grip (REG) test is one of many methods devised to detect insincere grip strength efforts. Studies investigating the REG test have used different testing protocols and different interpretation criteria for what constitutes a sincere effort. Since therapists get information about evaluation tools from the literature, inconsistencies among researchers may lead to a lack of standardization in the administration of the REG test among therapists. The purpose of the study was to survey therapists to determine what protocol they follow during REG test administration and how they interpret the REG test results. Fourteen therapists working in hand clinics completed the survey. The ways in which the therapists administered the REG test varied widely. Differences among therapists in administering the REG test included the position of the patient, the handling of the dynamometer, the number of repetitions, the hand switch rate, and the comparative test used to interpret the REG test. On the basis of these results, we concluded that the REG test does not meet the most basic testing and measurement criteria. This may impede the ability of therapists to report the outcomes of the REG test accurately and correctly. The implications for the profession due to the lack of standardization of the REG test are discussed.
Shechtman
Orit
O
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. oshechtm@hp.ufl.edu
Taylor
Catherine
C
D000328:Adult; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D018737:Hand Strength; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires