Theodore I. King; Interinstrument Reliability of the Jamar Electronic Dynamometer and Pinch Gauge Compared With the Jamar Hydraulic Dynamometer and B&L Engineering Mechanical Pinch Gauge. Am J Occup Ther 2013;67(4):480–483. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2013.007351
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© 2019 American Occupational Therapy Association
OBJECTIVE. This study sought to determine interinstrument reliability of the Jamar electronic dynamometer and pinch gauge compared with the commonly used Jamar hydraulic dynamometer and B&L Engineering mechanical pinch gauge.
METHOD. Twenty men and 20 women were tested for grip strength with the two different dynamometers, and 17 men and 25 women were tested for lateral pinch strength with the two different pinch gauges.
RESULTS. Grip strength measurements were approximately 10% higher with the hydraulic dynamometer, and lateral pinch strength measurements were approximately 18% higher with the mechanical pinch gauge. Paired t tests and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for statistical analyses. The two-tailed p value was <.0001, and the ICC indicated poor to moderate reliability.
CONCLUSION. When retesting patients, it is recommended that occupational therapists use the same instrument to measure hand strength because interinstrument reliability may be lacking.
This study found a statistically significant difference in strength readings between electronic and hydraulic dynamometers and between electronic and mechanical pinch gauges.
Because of the difference in strength readings between devices, also found in other studies, occupational therapy practitioners should consistently use the same devices when retesting patients’ grip and pinch strength and record in evaluation notes the specific device used.
Care should be taken in applying norms established with hydraulic and mechanical dynamometers and pinch gauges to strength measurements taken with electronic devices.
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