Validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test for the assessment of tip pinch strength in Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2021-10, Vol.28, p.87-91
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Samara Maria Alves, Coelho, Ingrid Neves, Costa, Pollyana Helena Vieira, de Carvalho Lana, Raquel, Polese, Janaine Cunha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Female; Hand; Hand Strength; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson disease; Parkinson Disease - diagnosis; Pinch Strength; Sphygmomanometers; Validity
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.06.006

The tip pinch is one of the most delicate and precise movement of the hand, and it is used to manipulate small objects, commonly observed in the activities of daily living of any individuals. Individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) with impaired manual dexterity, manipulative skills, and hand weakness have an important barrier for activities of daily life. However, the dynamometer usually used for measuring the tip pinch have a high cost, so, validate a sphygmomanometer can make this assessment more accessible. To investigate the validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test in the evaluation of tip pinch strength when compared to the gold standard. 50 individuals with idiopathic PD took part in the study. The muscle strength of tip pinch on the dominant and non-dominant side was measured by the modified sphygmomanometer test and the gold standard, the dynamometer. Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. 50 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD, mean age of 67 ± 8.0 years, 68% male, mean time of diagnosis in months of 84 ± 66 and Hoehn and Yahr mean of 2.5 ± 0.6. There was a significant correlation of moderate magnitude between the modified sphygmomanometer test and the dynamometer in dominant side (r = 0.44; p