Relationship between Hand grip strength and Hand function in patients with Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hands are vital and inevitable organs. It's essential to evaluate hand function post-stroke as it is a major source of impairment. Grip strength gives a guide to hand function as a measure of impairment. The modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) offers an intriguing alternative method for assessing hand grip strength as compared to using hand-held dynamometers. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the correlation between hand grip strength and hand function in stroke patients. Methods: A cross-sectional research was carried out on a group of 45 stroke patients, ranging in age from 40 to 70 years. The assessment included the measurement of hand grip strength through the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST), as well as the evaluation of hand function using the Box and Block Test (BBT) and the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Correlation analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient test. Results: The outcomes showed a strong to excellent between MST and BBT (r = 0.909, p = 0.000); and between MST and JTHFT Non Dominant Hand (JTHFTNDH, r = -0.669 and p = 0.000). However, there was a weak correlation between MST and JTHFT Dominant Hand, and this correlation was not statistically significant (r = -0.243 and p = 0.108). Conclusion: The findings indicated a relationship between hand grip strength and hand function among stroke patients. MST holds potential as a convenient, objective and cost-effective alternative in clinical settings for evaluating hand grip strength and predicting hand function.