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Comparison of maximal voluntary isometric contraction and Drachman's hand-held dynamometry in evaluating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Comparison of maximal voluntary isometric contraction and Drachman's hand-held dynamometry in evaluating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Authors :
Marcus Beck
Werner Würffel
G. Ochs
Tim Magnus
Ralf Giess
Klaus V. Toyka
Source :
Muscle & Nerve. 22:1265-1270
Publication Year :
1999
Publisher :
Wiley, 1999.

Abstract

Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is a standard tool for assessment of muscle strength in treatment trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There is need for more practical bedside techniques especially for severely disabled patients. Hand-held dynamometry (HH-Dyn) is an inexpensive and easy-to-handle device. MVIC was measured in five proximal muscle groups bilaterally and compared with HH-Dyn in 43 ALS patients. After a training period we found good intrarater correlation for HH-Dyn (r = 0.99), with a low coefficient of variation. Measurements tended to become more accurate after repeated testing due to practice effects in examiners and patients. Overall correlation between HH-Dyn and MVIC was good [r = 0.85 (P < 0.01)]. Strength-range-specific analysis showed a significant linear correlation up to 20 kg (44 lbs.) [r = 0.57 (P < 0.01)]. However, we found a tendency to underestimate muscle strength above 10 kg by HH-Dyn as compared with MVIC, but this became meaningful only above a force of 20 kg. HH-Dyn provides a strength estimate with a precision close to MVIC in weak muscle groups (MRC grade 4). With standardization and appropriate training, HH-Dyn is a useful bedside test, providing an alternative to MVIC for follow-up assessment in ALS.

Details

ISSN :
10974598 and 0148639X
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Muscle & Nerve
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....0ce16373a1af523f4e118150ca55e62f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199909)22:9<1265::aid-mus15>3.0.co;2-f