An investigation into hand grip strength as an assessment tool
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the relationship between hand grip strength and functional dependency in elderly adults following a period of hospitalisation- A pilot study
IRAS ID
225839
Contact name
Lucy Redhead
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Brighton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 5 days
Research summary
This pilot study will investigate the relationship between hand grip strength and functional dependency. Identifying those patients at most risk of deteriorating ability could save on costly hospital admissions. Currently there are over 40 different assessment tools used by therapists and many are time consuming and require special training to use. Hand grip strength is quick and easy to measure and has been shown to predict future decline in mobility and function.
The participants will be community dwelling elders who are being discharged home following time in hospital, with a rehabilitation team and care package to support their return to normal activities at home. Dependency will be assessed using two different outcome measures, one patient reported and the other therapist assessed. The measures of hand grip strength will be analysed alongside the dependency outcome scores to see if there is a relationship between them. The therapist assessed outcome measure will be completed by members of the rehabilitation team as part of normal practice. The patient reported outcome measure and hand grip strength will be undertaken by the researcher within the participant's home. These measures will be repeated at the start and again at the end of the therapy team's intervention,with changes over time being analysed. For each participant the number of falls and hospital admissions during this time period will be recorded alongside the amount of care provided upon discharge from the service.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0173
Date of REC Opinion
19 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion