Abstract
This retrospective work was undertaken to investigate the responsiveness of hand-held dynamometry (HHD). Potentially relevant research was identified via computerized searches of PubMed and Web of Science as well as a hand-search. Thirteen articles were found that allowed the description of responsiveness using effect size. Seventy-nine effect sizes ranged from 0 to 1.360. By Cohen's criteria most effect sizes (57%) qualified as small. Fifteen effect sizes (19.0%) qualified as medium and nine effect sizes(11.4%) qualified as large. HHD appears capable to detecting changes in limb muscle strength that accompany interventions or are associated with the natural course of disease states.