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Validity and reliability of a hand-held dynamometer with two populations.
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
|January 1, 1992
Summary
The Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester (MMT) reliably measures muscle strength in adults with and without mental retardation. While not conclusively validated, it is a suitable, portable tool for clinical rehabilitation assessments.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Kinesiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Mainstreaming individuals with mental retardation necessitates evaluating rehabilitation efficacy.
- Accurate muscle strength assessment is crucial for effective rehabilitation planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity and reliability of the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester (MMT) and Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer.
- To compare measurements between the two dynamometers in adults with and without mental retardation.
Main Methods:
- Knee extension and elbow flexion strength were measured using both the Nicholas MMT and Cybex II.
- Participants included 20 adults without mental retardation and 10 adults with mental retardation.
- Stabilization techniques were employed during all measurements.
Main Results:
- The Nicholas MMT demonstrated excellent discriminatory function across subgroups.
- High correlations were found between the two dynamometers (r = .74 for knee, r = .77 for elbow).
- Intrarater and interrater reliability for the MMT exceeded .90 in individuals with mental retardation.
Conclusions:
- The Nicholas MMT provides reliable muscle strength measurements for individuals with and without mental retardation.
- While construct and criterion validity were not definitively established, the MMT's portability and cost-effectiveness make it a practical clinical tool.
- The MMT is suitable for assessing muscle strength in clinical settings for persons with mental retardation.
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