Hallux plantar flexor strength in people with diabetic neuropathy: Validation of a simple clinical test

Healy, Aoife; Naemi, Roozbeh; Sundar, Lakshmi; Chatzistergos, Panagiotis; Ramachandran, Ambady; Chockalingam, Nachiappan

Abstract

Aim
To validate the paper grip test for assessing plantar flexion strength of the hallux.

Methods
Plantar flexor strength for 69 people with diabetic neuropathy was assessed: (a) using the paper grip test while simultaneously a plantar pressure platform quantified the force under the hallux, and (b) using a hand-held dynamometer. Following testing, participants were divided into groups: (1) passed vs. failed paper grip test (2) males vs. females. Statistical analyses determined if differences were evident between the groups and assessed the relationship between the paper grip test and the hand-held dynamometer. The discrimination ability, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the paper grip test was established.

Results
Participants who passed the paper grip test demonstrated greater grip force at the hallux than those who failed, and they also exhibited greater isometric maximum force during the hand-held dynamometry test (p ≤ 0.05). Grip force for males was significantly higher than for females. A moderate positive correlation between the paper grip test and the hand-held dynamometer was evident.

Conclusions
In the population examined the paper grip test was found to be a valid clinical tool; it offers a non-invasive, inexpensive, and quick method to assess plantar flexion strength of the hallux.

Citation

Healy, A., Naemi, R., Sundar, L., Chatzistergos, P., Ramachandran, A., & Chockalingam, N. (2018). Hallux plantar flexor strength in people with diabetic neuropathy: Validation of a simple clinical test. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 144, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2018.07.038

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Aug 13, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Deposit Date: Apr 14, 2024
• Journal: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
• Print ISSN: 0168-8227
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 144
• Pages: 1-9
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2018.07.038