DATASET FOR STUDY: Reliability of an Enhanced Paper Grip Test for Assessing Foot Strength and its Association with Selected Physical Performance Tests in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Enhanced Paper Grip Test (EPGT) is a simple method for quantifying foot grip force. Because rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly affects foot function and physical capacity, this simple measure may complement broader functional assessment. This study assessed its reliability and associations with physical performance in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this cross-sectional study, 34 participants with RA (age 67.3 ± 6.1 years) completed three EPGT trials per foot with each of two examiners and six physical performance tests. Intra-rater and inter-rater relative reliability was excellent for side-specific and bilateral mean force (ICC = 0.95–0.98), with inter-rater reliability of asymmetry being moderate (ICC = 0.66). Coefficients of variation ranged from 9.30% to 13.59%. Body mass-normalized bilateral mean force correlated with single-leg stance (r = 0.39), timed up and go (r = −0.50), 30-second sit-to-stand (r = 0.53), 30-second arm curl (r = 0.43), functional reach (r = 0.38), and 2-minute step test (r = 0.49). EPGT appears useful as a complementary assessment in RA, but asymmetry estimates and small differences in individual force require caution. Reliability across separate testing sessions remains to be established.