Minimal clinically important difference for grip strength: a systematic review.
Richard W Bohannon
PMID 30774209WHAT IT FOUND
No clear grip-strength change threshold was identified.
Only four studies met criteria, and thresholds ranged from 0.04 to 6.9 kg. A rough estimate of 5.0 to 6.5 kg may help.
Key findings
01Only four studies provided acceptable information relevant to the MCID of grip strength.
02The reported MCIDs ranged from 0.04 kg to 6.9 kg, and as percentages from 0.8% to 19.5%.
03The quality scores of the included articles ranged from 14 to 16 out of a maximum possible 20 points.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only four studies met the inclusion criteria, so the evidence base is small. The included studies had different populations, anchors, and test intervals, so their MCIDs are not directly comparable. Only two of the four studies used the recommended statistical method for finding a cut-point, and only one of those met the recommended performance criterion. The quality scores were 14 to 16 out of 20, with common gaps in describing interventions between tests, cut-point methods, and anchors. One person selected, abstracted, and quality-scored the articles.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat 5.0 to 6.5 kg as a validated MCID for all adults. It is a rough estimate from only four heterogeneous studies, and the review says no specific MCID value can be recommended.