Reliability of Nicholas Hand-Held Dynamometer of Muscle Strength Measurement in Non-Disabled Children and Children with Cerebral Palsy
Resource
FORMOSAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY v.27 n.2 pp.69-82
Journal
FORMOSAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Journal Volume
v.27
Journal Issue
n.2
Pages
69-82
Date Issued
2002
Date
2002
Author(s)
HWANG, AE-WEN
LIAO, HUA-FANG
HSU, AR- TYAN
GAN, SHU-MEI
LEE, CHIA-JUNG
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Muscle strength plays an important role in the motor function of children with cerebral palsy ( CP). The prerequisites for muscle strength measurement methods are validity and reliability which , however, are lacking in children with CP. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the reliability of muscle strength measurement with a Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester’s (NMMT) reliability in children with CP and non-disabled (ND) children. Subjects: 20 children with spastic CP and 30 ND children ages 6 to 12 participated. Methods: The NMMT’ sreliability was analyzed through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC (2,1)) for 12 muscle groups. Results: Intrasession reliability was good ( ICC 0.83 - 0.98) in both groups. Intersession reliability was good in ND children ( ICC 0.75 – 0.98), moderate to good in children with CP (ICC 0. 60 – 0.94) except for the elbow extensor and hip adductor. Interrater reliability was moderate to good in both groups (ICC 0.62 – 0.97), except for the shoulder abductor and extensor, elbow extensor and hip extensor in children with CP. Conclusion: The NMMT is reliable in testing non- disabled children and children with CP.
Subjects
Muscle strength
Reliability
Children
Cerebral Palsy
Dynamometer