Abstract
Objective
Handgrip dynamometry is recognised as a method for evaluating volitional muscle strength in the intensive care, but conventional handgrip dynamometers cannot accurately measure grip strength in very weak patients. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability, validity and usability of the K-force® grip in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness.
Design
Evaluation of measurement properties of the K-force® grip.
Setting
Two Intensive Care Units in The Netherlands.
Participants
Patients diagnosed with intensive care unit-acquired weakness according to a Medical Research Council sum score <48.
Intervention & Main measures
Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the K-force® grip were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Concurrent validity was examined using calibration weights. The usability was evaluated with the System Usability Scale.
Results
Intra-rater reliability showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.987 for the dominant hand and 0.972 for the non-dominant hand. Inter-rater reliability showed coefficients of 0.944 for the dominant hand and 0.942 for the non-dominant hand. There was a perfect correlation (
Conclusions
The K-force® grip is a promising new tool for the evaluation of muscle strength in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients who are too weak to use conventional hand dynamometers.
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References
Supplementary Material
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