Relationship among grip strength, functional outcomes, and work performance following hand trauma

• Published in: Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2001, Vol.16 (3), p.209-217
• Main Authors: Michener, Shannon K. Wahi, Olson, Amy L., Humphrey, Beth A., Reed, Janna E., Stepp, Dawn R., Sutton, Adrienne M., Moyers, Penelope A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1051-9815; 1875-9270
• DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2001-00153

This study examined the relationship among the recovery grip strength, functional outcomes, and work performance following occupational therapy intervention for hand trauma. This study had a sample size of 15 participants whose recovery grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer, whose satisfaction with outcomes was measured by the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and whose compliance with the home therapy program was measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). A Pearson r correlation demonstrated a significant relationship between recovery grip strength and two MHQ subset scores: overall hand function ( $r = 0.59$ , $p = 0.019$ ) and activities of daily living (ADL) performance ( $r = 0.61$ , $p = 0.016$ ). The participants' self-rating of compliance did not predict or influence either recovery grip strength or MHQ scores. A moderate positive correlation approaching significance ( $r = 0.51$ , $p = 0.052$ ) was found between grip strength and overall MHQ scores. The researchers concluded that a recovery grip strength measure should be used along with functional measures to appropriately assess overall hand function following hand trauma.