Hand grip strength assessment in older people: is the supine position valid and reliable?

Aim: Is handgrip strength assessment in the supine position valid and reliable as compared to the traditional sitting position? Findings: Grip strength values assessed in the sitting position highly correlated with the values of strength assessed in the sitting position without significant differences in the mean values of the two different assessment methods. Results were consistent across gender, cognitive status and body side. Message: In bedridden patients grip strength assessment using the supine position can be considered a valid alternative to the sitting position. Purpose: Muscle strength evaluation is important in older people’s functional assessment. We investigated the validity of grip strength measurement in a supine position as compared to the traditional one. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in older people hospitalized in a medical unit. Patients underwent measurements of grip strength in both supine and sitting positions. Agreement between results was evaluated using Pearson correlation and Infraclass correlation coefficient. The two measurements techniques were graphically compared with Bland–Altman plot. Results: Forty four participants enrolled (21 females), mean age 80.6. Correlation coefficients demonstrated a strong positive relationship between the two different measurement positions (all values greater than 0.9). Results were consistent and similar across gender, body side and were not affected by cognitive impairment. Infraclass correlation analyses demonstrate a very good inter-rate reliability. Conclusions: Grip strength assessed in the supine position can be considered a valid alternative in bedridden individuals.