Reliability of Elbow Flexion and Extension Strength Measurement Protocols Using a Hand-held Dynamometer

The aim of the study was to investigate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of elbow strength measurement procedures performed in different body postures and shoulder and elbow positions using a hand-held dynamometer in healthy individuals and to determine the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) values for these procedures.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Individuals
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Elbow flexion and extension strength measurements using a hand-held dynamometer

Detailed Description

Healthy university students aged 18 years and older will be included in the study. Elbow flexion and extension strength will be measured in both arms in different body postures and shoulder and elbow positions using a hand-held dynamometer. Thus, the reliability of these procedures will be investigated, and the standard error of the measurement and the minimum detectable change will be determined. Strength measurements will be performed by two physiotherapists on each arm of the participants and repeated between 3 - 7 days after the measurement to evaluate both intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.

3 different positions will be used for elbow flexion:

1. Participants sit on a stool, and their arms are at the side with the elbow flexed 90° (forearm in supination).
2. Participants sit on a stool, and their shoulder and elbow are flexed to 90° (forearm in supination) and supported on the treatment table.
3. Participants lie supine and place their shoulders on neutral position and elbow flexed 90° (forearm in supination).

3 different positions will be used for elbow extension:

1. Participants sit on a stool, and their shoulder and elbow are flexed to 90° (forearm in supination) and supported on the treatment table.
2. Participants lie supine and place their shoulders on neutral position and elbow flexed 90° (forearm in supination).
3. Participants lie prone, and their shoulders аre placed at 90° abduction and elbows flexed to 90°.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Balçova
    • İzmir, Balçova, Turkey, 35340
      • Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Students of Dokuz Eylul University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

-Being older than 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having neck, shoulder, elbow or forearm injuries in the last 6 months,
• Having upper extremity or neck fracture or surgical history
• Symptoms related to the neck, shoulder, elbow, and forearm at the time of assessment
• Having neurological or systemic musculoskeletal diseases or disorders
• Having a diagnosis of chest deformity or scoliosis
• Doing regular exercise related to upper extremity for the last year

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Healthy individuals; Healthy students 18 years and older	Diagnostic test: Elbow flexion and extension strength measurements using a hand-held dynamometer; Elbow flexion and extension strength of the participants will be measured in both arms in the supine, prone, and sitting positions using a hand-held dynamometer.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Elbow flexion measurements	Elbow flexion strength will be measured in 3 different positions.	Measurements will be performed in two sessions (3-7 days between sessions)
Elbow extension measurements	Elbow extension strength will be measured in 3 different positions.	Measurements will be performed in two sessions (3-7 days between sessions)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Dokuz Eylul University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sevgi Sevi Yeşilyaprak, PhD, Dokuz Eylul University; Study Chair: Fatma Özden, MS, Dokuz Eylul University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 21, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 23, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): November 23, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): April 20, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 12, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 10, 2023
• Last Verified: January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 5001-GOA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No