The assessment of grip strength in preschool-aged children with and without unilateral cerebral palsy

To investigate reliability and validity of two grip strength devices in children with and without unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) aged 2–6 years. We assessed grip strength in 20 pre-school-aged children with predominantly spastic uCP (mean age 4y0 ± 1y2m) and 20 age-matched children without uCP (mean age 3y11m ± 1y3m) using the Martin Vigorimeter and MyoGrip to investigate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients; ICC), known-group validity (comparative statistics) and convergent validity (correlation analyses) in a cross-sectional design. In both groups, test-retest reliability was excellent for both devices and both hands (ICC 0.91–0.97). Grip strength of the non-preferred hand was lower in children with uCP for both devices (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Grip strength was decreased in the non-preferred compared to the preferred hand in children with uCP for both devices (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). In children without uCP, grip strength was lower in the non-preferred compared to the preferred hand only for the MyoGrip (<i>p</i> = 0.02). The relation between both devices for both hands was good to very high (<i>r</i> = 0.62–0.92, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.007). Both devices can be implemented in clinical practice to assess grip strength in preschool-aged children with uCP. Only the MyoGrip detected differences between both hands in children without uCP and might be more sensitive. The Vigorimeter and MyoGrip reliably and validly assess grip strength in preschoolers with and without unilateral cerebral palsyBoth tools allow accurate grip strength assessment supporting diagnosis and intervention planningFor unilateral cerebral palsy, the Myogrip seems more sensitive in detecting differences than the Vigorimeter The Vigorimeter and MyoGrip reliably and validly assess grip strength in preschoolers with and without unilateral cerebral palsy Both tools allow accurate grip strength assessment supporting diagnosis and intervention planning For unilateral cerebral palsy, the Myogrip seems more sensitive in detecting differences than the Vigorimeter

本研究旨在探究两款握力测量设备在2~6岁单侧脑瘫（unilateral cerebral palsy, uCP）患儿与健康儿童中的信度与效度。本研究采用横断面设计，使用Martin Vigorimeter与MyoGrip两款设备，对20名以痉挛型单侧脑瘫为主的学龄前儿童（平均年龄4岁0个月±1岁2个月）及20名年龄匹配的健康儿童（平均年龄3岁11个月±1岁3个月）进行握力测量，以检验重测信度（组内相关系数，intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC）、已知群组效度（比较统计学分析）与会聚效度（相关性分析）。两组受试者中，两款设备对双侧手部的重测信度均极佳（ICC值为0.91~0.97）。相较于健康儿童，单侧脑瘫患儿的非利手握力在两款设备测量下均更低（p<0.001）。单侧脑瘫患儿的非利手握力相较于利手均有所下降，两款设备测量结果均显示此差异具有统计学意义（p<0.001）。健康儿童中，仅通过MyoGrip测量可发现非利手握力低于利手（p=0.02）。两款设备对双侧手部的测量结果相关性良好至极强（相关系数r=0.62~0.92，p<0.007）。两款设备均可应用于临床实践，用于评估学龄前单侧脑瘫患儿的握力水平。仅MyoGrip可检测出健康儿童双侧手部握力的差异，其敏感度可能更高。Martin Vigorimeter与MyoGrip两款设备均可可靠且有效地评估学龄前单侧脑瘫患儿与健康儿童的握力水平。两款工具均可实现精准的握力测量，辅助诊断与干预方案制定。针对单侧脑瘫患儿，MyoGrip在检测握力差异方面的敏感度优于Martin Vigorimeter。Martin Vigorimeter与MyoGrip两款设备均可可靠且有效地评估学龄前单侧脑瘫患儿与健康儿童的握力水平。两款工具均可实现精准的握力测量，辅助诊断与干预方案制定。针对单侧脑瘫患儿，MyoGrip在检测握力差异方面的敏感度优于Martin Vigorimeter。