Dynamometry Testing in Spinal Cord Injury
By Sisto, Sue Ann, PT, MA, PhD; Dyson-Hudson, Trevor, MD; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 123-136Publication Date: 2007
Overview of methodologies for testing muscle strength of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods discussed are manual muscle testing (MMT) and dynamometry, which includes handheld (HHDs), handgrip and isokinetic dynamometers. MMT, although simple to use, rates muscle strength on a scale that has limited reliability for greater grades. HHDs discussed are Isobex, Chatillon MSC Series, Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System, Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester, and microFET2. HHDs potentially quantify strength numerically by recording force output and, because of their portability, were considered useful in the clinical/bedside environments. Drawbacks of HHDs mentioned are their dependence on the examiner having sufficient strength to resist the patient’s muscle contraction, and strength being tested at only one point in the range of motion (ROM). Handgrip dynamometers mentioned are the Jamar Hydraulic, Tekdyne, Smedley and Lafayette Hand Dynamometers. Isokinetic dynamometers discussed are KinCom, Biodex, and Lido Active Isokinetic System. Although they allow for the measurement of force/torque throughout the available ROM, they are not portable and, therefore, not suitable for bedside clinical tests.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
