A Retrospective Study of the Correlation Between

Hand Grip Strength and Functional Outcomes for

Clients with Shoulder Pain

Andrew Ryan Lum; Carrie Ciro

Research Article

A Retrospective Study of the Correlation Between Hand Grip Strength and Functional Outcomes for Clients with Shoulder Pain

Andrew Ryan Lum¹* and Carrie Ciro²

¹OTD, MOT, OTR/L, Rockhurst university, Occupational Therapy Department, USA

²PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Oklahoma, Department of Rehabilitation Services, USA

Corresponding Author

Received Date: January 06, 2020; Published Date: January 13, 2020

Abstract

Background: People with orthopedic shoulder injuries often have reductions in grip strength and function, but the correlation of these relationship is unclear.

Purpose: Explore the relationship between grip strength scores and functional outcome measures scores for patients experiencing shoulder pain and examine whether occupational therapy intervention was associated with positive changes in grip strength and self-reported function.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study examining the charts of patients seen in an outpatient clinic June 2014-July 2018, with the following inclusion criteria: people 18-85 years of age with acute/chronic shoulder pain, and/or rotator cuff pathology. Patients received therapeutic exercise/ activity; modalities; and functional training. Outcome measurements included baseline/discharge scores for grip strength and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), a self-report of pain and disability with a total percentage score ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 = best and 100 = worst.

Results: The records of 31 people met inclusion criteria. Grip strength increased (x ̅=7.6± 11.1lbs); SPADI scores decreased (improved) by 26.6±19.7 points. A moderate, negative correlation (r = -0.596, P = .01) was found between initial affected grip strength scores and initial SPADI scores. Conversely, there was positive correlation (r = 0.80, P = .67) between post-intervention grip strength scores and SPADI scores.

Conclusion: Grip strength and SPADI scores improved after a course of occupational therapy. There was also a moderate correlation between pre-intervention grip strength and SPADI scores and a positive correlation between the post-intervention grip and SPADI scores.

Keywords: Grip strength; Occupational therapy; Upper extremity rehabilitation; SPADI

Abbreviations:

• OT- Occupational therapist.

• EMG - Electromyography; UE – upper extremity

• MCID- Minimally important clinical difference.

• SPADI- Shoulder Pain and Disability Index.

• Lbs- Pounds.

• Kg- Kilograms.

Article Details

Citation

Andrew Ryan Lum, Carrie Ciro. A Retrospective Study of the Correlation Between Hand Grip Strength and Functional Outcomes for Clients with Shoulder Pain. W J Yoga Phys Ther & Rehabil 2(1): 2020. WJYPR.MS.ID.000527.