Interinstrument Reliability Between the Squegg® Smart Dynamometer and Hand Grip Trainer and the Jamar® Hydraulic Hand...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science
• Clinical Measurement

Background:

• Occupational therapists require accurate tools for remote hand function assessment.
• Monitoring progress and evaluating interventions are crucial for patient independence.
• Existing methods may lack the necessary precision for remote monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interinstrument reliability and concurrent validity of the Squegg® Smart Dynamometer and Hand Grip Trainer.
• To compare the Squegg device with the established Jamar® Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer for maximal grip strength (MGS) measurement.
• To provide psychometric data for a novel remote MGS assessment device.

Main Methods:

• A repeated-measures design was employed in an individual clinic setting.
• Forty healthy middle-aged and older adult volunteers participated.
• Maximal grip strength was measured using both the Squegg and Jamar devices on dominant and nondominant hands.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found in mean maximal grip strength between the Squegg and Jamar devices.
• Intraclass correlation analysis indicated good to excellent interinstrument agreement.
• Pearson correlation analyses revealed strong agreement between the two devices across all participants and hands.

Conclusions:

• The Squegg Smart Dynamometer shows significant promise for clinical grip strength assessment, particularly for occupational therapists.
• Initial psychometric data support the Squegg's utility as a remote MGS measurement device.
• Reliable MGS measurements are vital for assessing aging adults' physical function and guiding therapeutic interventions.