Using the "visual target grip test" to identify sincerity of effort during grip strength testing. J Hand Ther 2012;25(3):320-8; quiz 329
Date
04/10/2012Pubmed ID
22483342DOI
10.1016/j.jht.2011.12.007Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84864074032 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
UNLABELLED: We devised a sincerity of effort assessment based on "tricking" a person into exerting maximal effort by providing incorrect visual feedback. The assessment involves deriving a target line from nonvisual peak gripping force, instructing participants to reach it with each grip repetition, and then secretly changing its position, which requires doubling the force necessary to reach it. Accordingly, participants are tricked into exerting more force than intended to reach the deceptive target line. We examined the validity of this test by comparing force values between "trick" and "non-trick" trials in 30 healthy participants. The study design used was a prospective cohort. Providing incorrect visual feedback caused significantly greater increases in force during submaximal effort (69%) than during maximal effort (28%). This test effectively detected submaximal effort (sensitivity=0.83 and specificity=0.93). Although this test is not safe for patients during initial therapy, it may be appropriate for patients who can safely exert maximal grip force.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.
Author List
Shechtman O, Sindhu BS, Davenport PWAuthor
Bhagwant Sindhu BS,MS,PhD Assistant Professor in the Occupational Science & Technology department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultFeedback
Female
Hand Strength
Humans
Male
Muscle Strength Dynamometer
Physical Exertion
Prospective Studies
ROC Curve
Visual Perception
