Intra Rater and Inter Rater Reliability of Hand Dynamometer and Pinch Gauge in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Hand dynamometer and pinch gauge are common instrument for measurement of hand grip strength and pinch strength. Accurate measurement of hand grip strength and pinch strength in spastic check the reliability of hand dynamometer and pinch gauge measurement in children with spastic CP. Objective: gauge in children with spastic CP. Method: After getting approval from IEC, 10 children with spastic CP with mean age 8.9 years (5-16 years), strength using hand dynamometer and pinch gauge. Measurements were taken by 3 independent therapists of different clinical experience after 1 minute rest, intra and inter rater reliability of hand dynamometer and Result: Intra rater and Inter rater reliability value (ICC) of hand dynamometer, pinch gauge (key grasp) and pinch gauge (tip to tip grasp) for non- affected hand is 0.996 and 0.999, 0.982 and 0.994, 0.986 and 0.995 while of affected hand is 0.993 and 0.998, 0.979 and 0.993, 0.977 and 0.992 respectively. Conclusion: Hand dynamometer and pinch gauge have excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for measuring hand gripe and pinch gripe strength in CP children above 5 year of age.