Reliability and Validity of the Multiaxis Profile Dynamometer with Younger and Older Participants
published online 26 April 2010.
Abstract
Study Design
Clinical Measurement.
Introduction
Grip strength has been administered for many years with a wide variety of instruments and for very different purposes.
Purpose of the Study
To examine the reliability and validity of a new grip measurement device, the multiaxis profile (MAP) dynamometer, compared with the Baseline dynamometer (Fabrication Enterprises Inc., White Plains, NY) and vigorimeter.
Methods
Twenty-eight participants (<30 yr, n=14; and >65 yr , n=14) completed grip strength testing using all three devices. Measurements were obtained at baseline and one to two weeks later.
Results
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the MAP ranged from 0.94 to 0.99. The other two devices had ICCs of 0.95-0.98. Correlations among the MAP dynamometer, the Baseline dynamometer, and the vigorimeter were 0.78-0.90. The results indicate high concurrent validity among all the three devices and that all devices are reliable instruments to measure the grip strength of both younger and older adults.
Conclusions
In addition to measuring grip strength, the MAP dynamometer measures other grip-related information, such as grip force vectors, rate of force buildup, and force variability. This additional grip information may improve our understanding of hand function and changes because of aging.
Level of Evidence
n/a
Trace Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Wisconsin
Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Wisconsin
Correspondence and reprint requests to Mary E. Sesto, PT, PhD, 4176 Medical Sciences Center, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706
The authors have not received benefits of any kind from commercial parties associated with products or companies mentioned in this article and do not have any financial interest in such companies or products. The authors are considering intellectual property protection on their device.
ABSTRACT