Intra- and inter-rater reliability of isometric shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength measurements performed using a hand-held dynamometer.
Takenori Awatani, Ikuhiro Morikita, Junji Shinohara and 5 others
PMID 27942118WHAT IT FOUND
A hand-held dynamometer gave consistent shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength readings in swim-specific positions within the same tester and between two testers in 12 healthy male volunteers.
This supports measurement, not treatment effect.
Key findings
01A hand-held dynamometer gave consistent shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength readings when the same tester repeated testing in the same session.
02Two examiners also gave consistent readings for both shoulder strength measures.
03The authors state the method is not appropriate for patients undergoing therapy for ADL improvement.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 12 healthy male volunteers were tested, so the results do not show what the measurement would do in patients or people with shoulder pain. The examiners were two students with nonclinical experience with the dynamometer, and the study did not compare experience levels. The participants' postures during measurement may not have been completely consistent. The authors state the method is not appropriate for patients undergoing therapy for ADL improvement. Some internal rotator between-day results showed systematic bias on the dominant side.
The easy way to misread this
Do not use these results to conclude that this dynamometer measurement is useful for patients or treatment effects. The study tested only 12 healthy male volunteers, and the authors state the method is not appropriate for patients undergoing therapy for ADL improvement.