Background: The paper-grip-test (PGT) involves pulling a small card from underneath the participant's foot while asking them to grip with their hallux. The PGT is shown to be effective in detecting foot muscle-weakening but its outcome is operator-dependent. To overcome this limitation, an enhanced PGT (EPGT) is proposed that replaces the pass/fail outcome of the PGT with a continuous measurement of the pulling force that is needed to remove the card (EPGT-force).
Research Question: Is the EPGT-force an accurate, reliable and clinically applicable measurement of strength?
Methods: Reliability and clinical applicability were examined in two ways. Firstly, two examiners measured EPGT-force for twenty healthy volunteers in a test/retest set-up. EPGT force was measured using a dynamometer, the hallux grip force was measured using a pressure mat. The clinical applicability of the EPGT was tested in ten people with diabetes. Postural sway was also measured.
Results: Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) revealed excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC > 0.75). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for the first examiner (ICC = 0.795) and good for the second (ICC = 0.703). Linear regression analysis indicated that hallux grip force accounted (on average) for 83 %±4 % of the variability in EPGT force. This strong relationship between EPGT force and hallux grip force remained when the test was performed in a clinical setting with the latter accounting for 88 % in EPGT force variability. Spearman rank order correlation showed that people with diabetes with a higher difference in EPGT force between limbs swayed more.
Significance: EPGT force is a reliable and accurate measurement of hallux grip force. Hallux grip force was previously found to be strongly correlated to the strength of all muscle groups of the foot and ankle and to the ability to maintain balance. The proposed EPGT could be used to monitor muscle weakness in clinics for better falls-risk assessment.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.07.011 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Reliability of enhanced paper grip test for testing foot strength in volleyball and soccer players.
Phys Ther Sport
May 2024
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI-6310, Izola, Slovenia. Electronic address:
Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of the Enhanced Paper Grip Test (EPGT) for assessing foot strength in volleyball and soccer players.
Design: A cross-sectional observational study with repeated measurements.
Setting: Field-based study.
The enhanced paper grip test can substantially improve community screening for the risk of falling.
Gait Posture
February 2024
Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. Electronic address:
Background: Lower-limb strength measures can enhance falls risk assessment but due to the lack of clinically applicable methods, such measures are not included in current screening. The enhanced paper grip test (EPGT) is a simple-to-use and cost-effective test that could fill this gap. However, its outcome measure (EPGT force) has not yet been directly linked to the risk of falling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReliability and clinical applicability of lower limp strength using an enhanced paper grip strength.
Eur J Transl Myol
December 2023
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Rio, Greece.
The enhanced paper grip test (EGPT) quantitatively assesses lower limb strength. EGPT assesses the hallux grip force by reacting a pulling force derived from a card, being positioned underneath the participant's hallux. This study aimed to investigate the repeatability and clinical applicability of the EPGT for assessing foot muscle strength.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn exploration of the mechanistic link between the enhanced paper grip test and the risk of falling.
Foot (Edinb)
December 2023
Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. Electronic address:
The enhanced paper grip test (EPGT) offers an easy-to-use measure of hallux plantar-flexion strength that does not need expensive specialised equipment. Literature suggests that it could be a useful screening tool to assess the risk of falling in older people. However, research on a specific mechanistic link to the risk of falling is lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReliability and validity of an enhanced paper grip test; A simple clinical test for assessing lower limb strength.
Gait Posture
September 2020
Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Background: The paper-grip-test (PGT) involves pulling a small card from underneath the participant's foot while asking them to grip with their hallux. The PGT is shown to be effective in detecting foot muscle-weakening but its outcome is operator-dependent. To overcome this limitation, an enhanced PGT (EPGT) is proposed that replaces the pass/fail outcome of the PGT with a continuous measurement of the pulling force that is needed to remove the card (EPGT-force).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!