Abstract
Introduction: Stroke individuals have sensorimotor repercussions on their ipsilesional upper limb. Therefore, it is important to use tests that allow an adequate assessment and follow-up of such deficits. Physical and occupational therapists commonly use maximal grip strength tests to assess the functional condition of stroke individuals. However, one could ask whether a single test is able to characterize the hand function in this population. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among outcomes of different tests frequently used to describe the function of the hand in the ipsilesional upper limb of stroke individuals. Methods: Twenty-two stroke individuals performed four hand function tests: maximal handgrip strength (HGSMax), maximal pinch grip strength (PGSMax), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) and Nine Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). All tests were performed with the ipsilesional hand. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed. Results: the results indicated a moderate and positive relationship between HGSMax and JTHFT (r = 0.50) and between JTHFT and 9-HPT (r = 0.55). Conclusion: We conclude that the existence of only moderate relationships between test outcomes demonstrates the need to use at least two instruments to better describe the ipsilesional hand function of stroke individuals.
Highlights
Stroke individuals have sensorimotor repercussions on their ipsilesional upper limb
If we find a significant and strong correlation between outcomes of different tests, we can conclude that the administration of only one test would be enough to describe the hand function of the ipsilesional limb of a person who suffered a stroke
The mean values and standard deviations of the analyzed variables were: total time taken for execution of the teste de função manual Jebsen-Taylor (TFMJT) subtests (36.14 ± 7.29s); time taken for execution of the 9-HPT (21.75 ± 2.88s); HGSMax (33.92 ± 8.86 kgf) and PGSMax (6.17 ± 1.56 kgf)
Summary
Stroke individuals have sensorimotor repercussions on their ipsilesional upper limb. it is important to use tests that allow an adequate assessment and follow-up of such deficits. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among outcomes of different tests frequently used to describe the function of the hand in the ipsilesional upper limb of stroke individuals. Conclusion: We conclude that the existence of only moderate relationships between test outcomes demonstrates the need to use at least two instruments to better describe the ipsilesional hand function of stroke individuals. Most people affected by a stroke have difficulties performing activities of daily living (ADL) requiring the upper limb due to the repercussions of the disease. Included among these difficulties are: decreased range of joint motion, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle tone, and sensory deficits [1, 2]. Following a stroke, people have an inferior performance when using the ipsilesional upper limb in reaching tasks [9, 10] or even in clinical tests [7, 8, 11, 12], when compared to those who have not had a stroke
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