CONCORDANCE BETWEEN SELF-REPORT AND PERFORMANCE-BASED MANUAL ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC STROKE USING THE ABILHAND-STROKE QUESTIONNAIRE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Benin questionnaire is reliable as self-report administration procedure to measure manual ability in everyday activities in people with chronic stroke. Background and Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the external and internal compatibility of the Biometrics E-LINK EP9 evaluation system device in the area of hand grip and pinch strength in the Polish population. Methods: The testing of hand grip and pinch strength was carried out among 122 healthy students. Two examiners performed hand grip and pinch strength measurements with a Biometrics E-LINK device. Measurements were made for the right and left hands. The same people were tested again two weeks later, under the same conditions. The scores of one rater on the first and second tests were compared for reproducibility, and the scores of the two raters were compared to assess the reliability of the instrument. Results: The measurements were found to be highly consistent both between the investigators and between the tests in the hand grip dynamometer test. High values of Pearson's correlation coefficient equal to and close to 1, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.9 and Cronbach's alpha coefficient>0.9 were shown. Using the pinchmeter to assess pinch strength, high values of Pearson's correlation coefficient close to 1, interclass correlation coefficient>0.9 were shown, and taking into account alternative measurements of consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient>0.9, this proves high consistency of the measurements both between the two investigators as well as in time intervals and tests performed by the same investigator. Conclusions: The measurements made with the Biometrics E-link show high internal and external consistency in hand grip and pinch strength assessment. Biometrics E-link EP9 can be recommended for daily clinical practice.