Biomedical subjects

Nicola Massy-Westropp

Publications and source records attributed to Nicola Massy-Westropp.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A new versatile hand dynamometer.

This paper describes the design and testing of a new hand strain-gauge based dynamometer. The design is portable and capable of measuring grip strengths from 12.5 to 800N. The dynamometer is independent of point of application of the grip force. Finite element modelling and experimental testing were used to verify the mechanical system's suitability. The dynamometer was designed for input to a PDA to allow full portability of the device.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed2004

A systematic review of the content of critical appraisal tools.

BACKGROUND: Consumers of research (researchers, administrators, educators and clinicians) frequently use standard critical appraisal tools to evaluate the quality of published research reports. However, there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate critical appraisal tool for allied health research. We summarized the content, intent, construction and psychometric properties of published, currently available critical appraisal tools to identify common elements and their relevance to allied health research. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken of 121 published critical appraisal tools sourced from 108 papers located on electronic databases and the Internet. The tools were classified according to the study design for which they were intended. Their items were then classified into one of 12 criteria based on their intent. Commonly occurring items were identified. The empirical basis for construction of the tool, the method by which overall quality of the study was established, the psychometric properties of the critical appraisal tools and whether guidelines were provided for their use were also recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of critical appraisal tools were specific to a research design, with most tools having been developed for experimental studies. There was considerable variability in items contained in the critical appraisal tools. Twelve percent of available tools were developed using specified empirical research. Forty-nine percent of the critical appraisal tools summarized the quality appraisal into a numeric summary score. Few critical appraisal tools had documented evidence of validity of their items, or reliability of use. Guidelines regarding administration of the tools were provided in 43% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: There was considerable variability in intent, components, construction and psychometric properties of published critical appraisal tools for research reports. There is no "gold standard' critical appraisal tool for any study design, nor is there any widely accepted generic tool that can be applied equally well across study types. No tool was specific to allied health research requirements. Thus interpretation of critical appraisal of research reports currently needs to be considered in light of the properties and intent of the critical appraisal tool chosen for the task.

Allied Health Occupations↗

PubMed2004

Measuring grip strength in normal adults: reference ranges and a comparison of electronic and hydraulic instruments.

PURPOSE: To determine reference ranges for peak, average, and final adult grip strength over 10 seconds by using an electronic dynamometer, and to compare results from hydraulic and electronic dynamometers. METHODS: The hand-grip strengths of 476 healthy adult subjects were tested using the electronic (Grippit; AB Detektor, Goteborg, Sweden) and hydraulic (Jamar; Smith and Nephew, Memphis, TN) dynamometers. RESULTS: Age- and gender-specific reference ranges for the Jamar and Grippit dynamometers are presented. Bland-Altman analysis of the differences between the results obtained using the 2 instruments revealed a bias (mean difference) of 22 N (Jamar - Grippit) and limits of agreement of -86 to 129 N (mean +/- 2 SD), which indicates that grip measurements may vary by up to 215 N between instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The study yielded population reference ranges of peak, average, and final strength over a 10-second grip assessment using an electronic dynamometer. Results from the Grippit and Jamar dynamometers are similar; however, the dynamometers cannot be interchanged. The Grippit provides information about endurance and fatigue of grip over 10 seconds, showing differences between right- and left-dominant adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Comparing the AUSCAN Osteoarthritis Hand Index, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, and Sequential Occupational Dexterity Assessment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Sequential Occupational Dexterity Assessment (SODA) are assessments of hand function. Investigation of psychometric properties, administration, acceptability, and content of an assessment add strength to the findings of research and treatment. We evaluated the validity and reliability of the AUSCAN, MHQ, and the SODA for assessing disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Sixty-two patients with RA completed the AUSCAN (visual analog scale version), the MHQ, and the SODA. Seventeen patients repeated the assessments within one week. RESULTS: The assessments recorded high variability within the sample of 62 patients with RA. The AUSCAN and MHQ provided patient and context-specific information, while the SODA provided more impairment information that could be readily compared between patients. Seventeen patients were tested twice within 5 days, showing good reliability of all assessments. Unlike the MHQ, AUSCAN and SODA do not provide information about individual hands or hand dominance. The physical function scales of the AUSCAN and the SODA were related (r = 0.81), and the AUSCAN and MHQ pain scales were related (r = 0.68). CONCLUSION: Clinicians and researchers should decide whether impairment, ability, or handicap outcome is the goal of assessment, and whether bilateral function or the function of one hand is of interest before choosing a hand assessment. The AUSCAN and MHQ are valid and reliable for assessment of hand disability in patients with RA, and they allow the patients to answer questions about their home environment. The SODA is also valid and reliable for assessing disability in a clinical situation that cannot be generalized to the home.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of normal human variability and hand activity on sensory testing with the full Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments kit.

The first part of this study aimed to determine the effect of human variability on assessment using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Fifteen healthy subjects were tested using a full monofilament kit of known calibration. When the subjects were retested, they responded to a different filament 48% of the time. The second part of the study aimed to determine the effects of vigorous hand activity on sensation, as measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Forty randomly selected healthy subjects were assessed before and after they performed a brief, standardized gripping activity. After hand activity, the subjects responded to a different filament 53% of the time. In both parts of this study, the changes in monofilament results were random in direction and magnitude. The number of changes did vary between test sites, the radial nerve sites being most variable and the ulnar nerve sites least variable. It is concluded that the results of testing with the five smallest monofilaments in the full Semmes-Weinstein kit were not reliable in normal subjects and that they did not detect change in sensory function in normal subjects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Postoperative therapy after metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty.

A literature review was conducted to determine the most effective postoperative therapy regimens for metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty. The main difference between the regimens was the use of passive MCP extension over active extension and splinting in MCP flexion over splinting in extension. One study did not find continuous passive motion to be significantly beneficial for gaining hand strength or MCP motion. No study evaluated the efficacy or suitability of a particular regimen for specific implants or surgical procedures.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty from the patient's perspective.

The results of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty have been measured by objective measures and, to a lesser extent, subjective measures. The aim of this study was to understand patients' goals for MCP arthroplasty and the changes that occurred for them after surgery. Twenty of 24 patients reported that their MCP arthroplasty was successful because their function, pain, or hand appearance improved after the surgery. Functional changes related to how an activity was performed rather than new abilities being enabled by the surgery. There are many qualities to changes in pain and function, which closed-ended questions would not capture. Patients may not have attempted all normal activities within the first four postoperative months; therefore, functional outcomes must be measured after four months. Concurrent surgical, pharmaceutical, and therapy interventions also change patients' function, making the exact effects of the MCP arthroplasty unclear.

Aged↗