Handgrip strength in elderly with dementia: study of reliability

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Scientific and clinical validation of measuring instruments is crucial across diverse populations.
• The handgrip strength test is widely utilized, but its reliability in elderly individuals with dementia requires further investigation.
• Understanding the appropriate stage for discontinuing the handgrip strength test in dementia patients is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the test-retest reliability of the handgrip strength test in elderly individuals across various dementia severity levels.
• To determine the clinical utility of the handgrip strength test based on dementia classification.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-six elderly participants with dementia were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination and other scales for classification by Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).
• Participants were categorized into borderline, mild, moderate, and severe dementia groups.
• Handgrip strength was measured using a JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer, with reevaluation after one week. Reliability was analyzed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

Main Results:

• Excellent test-retest reliability was observed in participants with borderline (ICC=0.975), mild (ICC=0.968), and moderate (ICC=0.964) dementia.
• The severe dementia group exhibited no statistical significance and low reliability (ICC=0.415).

Conclusions:

• The handgrip strength test demonstrates excellent reliability and is suitable for research in elderly individuals with borderline, mild, and moderate dementia.
• Due to low reliability and clinical irrelevance, the handgrip strength test is not recommended for individuals with severe dementia.