Does the elbow position change the handgrip strength in Parkinson's disease?

A posição do cotovelo altera a força de preensão manual na doença de Parkinson?

Abstract

The flexed elbow is a standardization position on the handgrip strength test, however the literature shows divergence in the values obtained from extended elbow. The aim of this study was to verify if there is such difference in people with Parkinson's disease. Cross-sectional study. Thirty-one elderly individuals with clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, performed 2 handgrip tests, first with extended elbow and second with flexed elbow, with 48 hours of interval. There was not significantly different between positions for handgrip strength (p > 0.05). As well as, the effect size was insignificant (d < 0.19). The main results indicate there was no significant difference between the flexed and the extended protocol, the effect size was negative and very small, it shows there is no clinical effect. Since, there are no difference between elbow positions, The American Society of Hand Therapists standardized position is recommended for testing of handgrip strength.

Key words:
Elbow joint; Muscle strength; Muscle Strength Dynamometer; Neurodegenerative disease; Elderly