Intrarater and Inter-rater Reliability of Pinch Dynamometer for Toe Grip Strength: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Reduced Toe Grip Strength (TGS) is associated with an increased risk of knee pain. In India, toe grip is rarely examined and examination of TGS lacks quantifiable values. The pinch gauge dynamometer is an instrument/tool which is apposite in the assessment of grip strength. The present study is a first of its kind to establish the reliability of pinch gauge dynamometer in assessing TGS. Aim: To evaluate intrarater and inter-rater reliability of pinch gauge dynamometer in measuring TGS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Deemed to be the University of Mangalore, Karnataka, India during the 1st week of August 2022. Out of 30 individuals, 15 were males and 15 were females. TGS was assessed using a pinch gauge dynamometer. For data analysis, the mean of the three trials was used and the reliability test was calculated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Intrarater reliability showed ICC scores of 0.991 and 0.985 for both right and left feet, and inter-rater reliability showed scores of 0.985 and 0.977, respectively. In the female group inter-rater agreement on right side pinch strength was 0.923 and left side was 0.924. Among males inter-rater agreement, right side ICC score was 0.983 and left side was 0.967 between the raters. Conclusion: The pinch gauge dynamometer is reliable for measuring TGS with excellent intra and inter-rater reliability values.

Keywords

• dynamometer
• intraclass correlation coefficient
• inter-rater reliability
• toe grip