Title: Different Elbow Positions Do Not Interfere In Handgrip Strength In Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract: The studies with handgrip strength have been using the protocol of American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), in which the elbow is maintained flexed at 90°. However, people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) show general loss of strength and the contraction of the muscles used to sustain this position may be not possible and may reduce the value of handgrip strength. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze if there is difference in handgrip strength in people with PD between the two elbow positions: flexed (ASHT protocol) and extended. METHODS: Handgrip strength was measured in both arms in 31 persons (22 men and 9 women), age 66.06 ± 8.48, diagnosed clinically with PD with the elbow at two positions: flexed (ASHT protocol) and extended. Positions comparisons were made using paired t-test and clinical effect with test d Cohen. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: Handgrip strength of the right arm with the extended elbow was similar to that obtained with the flexed elbow (p > 0.05; d = -0.04). Handgrip strength of the left arm with the extended elbow was similar to that obtained with the flexed elbow (p > 0.05; d = -0.12). There are not statistical difference between elbow positions in both arms side.Table 1: - Comparisons between elbow positions.p = significantly; d = Cohen test CONCLUSIONS: There are no differences between elbow positions, people with PD can do handgrip strength with elbow in extension if will be more comfortable.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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