Minimal Detectable Change of Knee Extension Force Measurements Obtained by Handheld Dynamometry From Older Patients in 2 Settings

Abstract Background Although knee extensors are essential in daily activities (e.g. walking, climbing stairs), knee extensor strength is often not measured in clinical settings. Existing devices to test muscle strength are not always suitable to accurately measure the high forces of this muscle group. Therefore, a device to test muscle strength that is convenient, feasible, reliable, and valid in clinical settings is required. This study evaluated the reliability, responsiveness, and level of discomfort of the newly developed Q-Force ӀӀ (i.e. a portable device to measure isometric knee extensor strength) in healthy middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods Participants (n = 22) conducted two standardized test sessions on the Q-Force ӀӀ (five to ten days apart). Each session consisted of one familiarisation trial followed by three trials of peak isometric knee extension per each leg. Per trial, peak and mean knee extension force (N) and torque (Nm) were measured at 90° flexion. The level of discomfort was determined using a visual analog scale (VAS: 0-100). Intra Class Correlation (ICC, model: two-way mixed with absolute agreement), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were determined. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine between-test variation. Results Excellent test-retest (ICC > 0.95) and inter-trial (ICC > 0.91) reliability for both legs were shown. No significant differences were found in peak and mean knee forces and torques between test and retest of both legs, indicating good test-retest reliability (P-value range: 0.360-0.538; F(1,21) range: 0.4-0.9). The SEM of the peak and mean forces and torques ranged from 28.0 to 30.4 N (6.0-6.8%) and from 9.2 to 10.4 Nm (6.4-7.7%), respectively. The MDC for these outcomes ranged respectively from 77.6 to 84.1 N (16.5-18.8%) and from 25.5 to 28.9 Nm (17.6-21.4%). The level of discomfort was low (median range: 7-10, IQR: 4-18). Conclusion The portable Q-Force ӀӀ is a comfortable, responsive, and relatively cheap device with excellent test-retest reliability. This device would be potentially suitable to measure isometric knee extensor strength in clinical settings.

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Knee extension force measurements are reliable and indicative of walking speed in stroke patients

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research ◽

10.1097/00004356-198906000-00009 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 193 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Richard W. Bohannon

Keyword(s):

Walking Speed ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Force Measurements ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Extension Force

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Correlation of paretic knee extension strength with gait speed after stroke: A meta-analysis

Isokinetics and Exercise Science ◽

10.3233/ies-210139 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Richard W. Bohannon

Keyword(s):

Gait Speed ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Knee Extension Strength ◽

Extension Force ◽

Correlational Data ◽

Using Data ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have addressed the relationship between paretic knee extension strength and comfortable walking speed after stroke. However, the correlations reported are highly variable. This review sought to summarize the correlational data using meta-analysis. METHODS: Relevant literature was identified via a search of 3 bibliographic databases. Articles were screened and perused for inclusion. Included articles were examined for information on the sample studied, procedures for measuring strength and gait speed, and correlations reported between the 2 variables. Meta-analysis was used to calculate a summary correlation. RESULTS: Of 299 unique articles, 18 met inclusion criteria. Articles were diverse in regard to samples studied, procedures described, and correlations reported. Meta-analysis using data from all included studies revealed a summary correlation of 0.51. For studies using hand-held or isokinetic dynamometry, the summary correlation was 0.46 and 0.59 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a better indication of the correlation between paretic knee extension strength and comfortable gait speed than individual studies. The correlation is high enough to provide support for the routine measurement of paretic knee extension force for individuals who have experienced a stroke.

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A prospective study to establish the minimal clinically important difference of the Mini-BESTest in individuals with stroke

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/02692155211025131 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921552110251

Author(s):

Marla K Beauchamp ◽

Rudy Niebuhr ◽

Patricia Roche ◽

Renata Kirkwood ◽

Kathryn M Sibley

Keyword(s):

Stroke Rehabilitation ◽

Minimal Clinically Important Difference ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Global Rating ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Clinically Important Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Small Change ◽

A Prospective Study

Objective: To determine the minimal clinically important difference of the Mini-BESTest in individuals’ post-stroke. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Outpatient stroke rehabilitation. Subjects: Fifty outpatients with stroke with a mean (SD) age of 60.8 (9.4). Intervention: Outpatients with stroke were assessed with the Mini-BESTest before and after a course of conventional rehabilitation. Rehabilitation sessions occurred one to two times/week for one hour and treatment duration was 1.3–42 weeks (mean (SD) = 17.4(10.6)). Main measures: We used a combination of anchor- and distribution-based approaches including a global rating of change in balance scale completed by physiotherapists and patients, the minimal detectable change with 95% confidence, and the optimal cut-point from receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: The average (SD) Mini-BESTest score at admission was 18.2 (6.5) and 22.4 (5.2) at discharge (effect size: 0.7) ( P = 0.001). Mean change scores on the Mini-BESTest for patient and physiotherapist ratings of small change were 4.2 and 4.3 points, and 4.7 and 5.3 points for substantial change, respectively. The minimal detectable change with 95% confidence for the Mini-BESTest was 3.2 points. The minimally clinical importance difference was determined to be 4 points for detecting small changes and 5 points for detecting substantial changes. Conclusions: A change of 4–5 points on the Mini-BEST is required to be perceptible to clinicians and patients, and beyond measurement error. These values can be used to interpret changes in balance in stroke rehabilitation research and practice.

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Strain Elastography and Tendon Response to an Exercise Program in Patients With Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: An Exploratory Study

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120965185 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 232596712096518

Author(s):

Karen Brage ◽

Birgit Juul-Kristensen ◽

John Hjarbaek ◽

Eleanor Boyle ◽

Per Kjaer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Supraspinatus Tendon ◽

Patient Reported Outcome ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Tendon Stiffness ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Tendon Thickness

Background: Shoulder pain is common, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 67%. Evidence is conflicting in relation to imaging findings and pain in the shoulder. Sonoelastography can be used to estimate tissue stiffness and may be a clinically relevant technique for diagnosing and monitoring tendon healing. Purpose: To evaluate changes in supraspinatus tendon stiffness using strain elastography (SEL) and associations with changes in patient-reported outcomes, supraspinatus tendon thickness, and grade of tendinopathy after 12 weeks of unilateral shoulder exercises in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 23 patients with unilateral clinical supraspinatus tendinopathy performed 12 weeks of “standard care” exercises. At baseline and follow-up, supraspinatus tendon stiffness was measured bilaterally using SEL and compared with tendinopathy grading on magnetic resonance imaging scans and tendon thickness measured using conventional ultrasound. Patient-reported outcome measures included physical function and symptoms from the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and pain rating (visual analog scale). Results: No significant changes in SEL within or between groups (asymptomatic vs symptomatic tendon) were seen. All patient-reported outcomes showed significant improvement from baseline to follow-up, but with no change in tendinopathy grading and tendon thickness. No significant differences in the proportion of patients changing above the minimal detectable change in SEL and PROM were seen, except for discomfort while sleeping. Conclusion: Despite no significant within-group or between-group changes in SEL, significant improvements were found in patient-reported outcomes. An acceptable agreement between patients changing above the minimal detectable change in SEL and patient-reported outcome measure was seen. Further studies should explore the use of SEL to detect changes after tendon repair and long-term training potentially in subgroups of different tendinopathy phases. Clinical Relevance: In the short term, structural changes in supraspinatus tendons could not be visualized using SEL, indicating that a longer time span should be expected in order to observe structural changes, which should be considered before return to sports. Subgrouping based on stage of tendinopathy may also be important in order to evaluate changes over time with SEL among patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. Registration: NCT03425357 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

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The Igbo Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire: A cross-cultural adaptation and validation study in Nigerian populations with chronic low back pain

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-191687 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Chinonso N. Igwesi-Chidobe ◽

Isaac O. Sorinola ◽

Emma L. Godfrey

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Cultural Adaptation ◽

Illness Perceptions ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Low Back ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Cross Cultural Adaptation

BACKGROUND: Illness perceptions predict chronic low back pain (CLBP) disability. This study cross-culturally adapted and validated the Igbo Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (Igbo-BIPQ) in people with CLBP in rural/urban Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Igbo-BIPQ was undertaken. The BIPQ was forward/back-translated by clinical/non-clinical translators. An expert review committee appraised the translations. The questionnaire was pre-tested on twelve rural Nigerian dwellers with CLBP. Internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha; test-retest reliability using intra-class correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot; and minimal detectable change were investigated amongst 50 people with CLBP in rural and urban Nigeria. Construct validity was determined by correlating the Igbo-BIPQ score with those of eleven-point box scale and Igbo Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (Igbo-RMDQ) using Pearson’s correlation analyses in 200 adults with CLBP in rural Nigeria. Ceiling and floor effects were investigated in both samples. RESULTS: Good face/content validity, internal consistency (α= 0.76) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.78); standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of 5.44 and 15.08 respectively; moderate correlations with pain intensity and self-reported disability (r⩾ 0.4); no ceiling/floor effects were observed for Igbo-BIPQ. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of some aspects of validity and reliability of the Igbo-BIPQ.

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Minimum Detectable Change of Visual Acuity Measurements Using ETDRS Charts (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157876 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7876

Author(s):

María Carmen Sánchez-González ◽

Raquel García-Oliver ◽

José-María Sánchez-González ◽

María-José Bautista-Llamas ◽

José-Jesús Jiménez-Rejano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Early Treatment ◽

High Reliability ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

High Contrast ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Low Contrast ◽

Minimum Detectable Change ◽

The Mean

In our work, we determined the value of visual acuity (VA) with ETDRS charts (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study). The purpose of the study was to determine the measurement reliabilities, calculating the correlation coefficient interclass (ICC), the value of the error associated with the measure (SEM), and the minimal detectable change (MDC). Forty healthy subjects took part. The mean age was 23.5 ± 3.1 (19 to 26) years. Visual acuities were measured with ETDRS charts (96% ETDRS chart nº 2140) and (10% SLOAN Contrast Eye Test chart nº 2153). The measurements were made (at 4 m) under four conditions: Firstly, photopic conditions with high contrast (HC) and low contrast (LC) and after 15 min of visual rest, mesopic conditions with high and low contrast. Under photopic conditions and high contrast, the ICC = 0.866 and decreased to 0.580 when the luminosity and contrast decreased. The % MDC in the four conditions was always less than 10%. It was minor under photopic conditions and HC (5.83) and maximum in mesopic conditions and LC (9.70). Our results conclude a high reliability of the ETDRS test, which is higher in photopic and high contrast conditions and lower when the luminosity and contrast decreases.

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