Karen Weber

Bio: Karen Weber is an academic researcher from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pinch Strength & Test validity. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 6 publications receiving 5642 citations.

Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations

Abstract: Twenty-seven college women participated in a study to evaluate the reliability and validity of four tests of hand strength: grip, palmar pinch, key pinch, and tip pinch. Standardized positioning and instructions were followed. The results showed very high inter-rater reliability. Test-retest reliability was highest in all tests when the mean of three trials was used. Lower correlations were shown when one trial or the highest score of three trials were utilized. The Jamar dynamometer by Asimow Engineering and the pinch gauge by B&L Engineering demonstrated the highest accuracy of the instruments tested.

Adult norms for the Box and Block Test of manual dexterity

Abstract: The Box and Block Test, a test of manual dexterity, has been used by occupational therapists and others to evaluate physically handicapped individuals. Because the test lacked normative data for adults, the results of the test have been interpreted subjectively. The purpose of this study was to develop normative data for adults. Test subjects were 628 Normal adults (310 males and 318 females) from the seven-county Milwaukee area. Data on males and females 20 to 94 years old were divided into 12 age groups. Means, standard deviations, standard error, and low and high scores are reported for each five-year age group. These data will enable clinicians to objectively compare a patient's score to a normal population parameter.

Adult Norms for the Nine Hole Peg Test of Finger Dexterity

Abstract: The purposes of this study were to establish standardized procedures for the Nine Hole Peg Test of finger dexterity, to evaluate its reliability and validity, and to establish new clinical norms based on these standardized procedures. For the reliability and validity study, 26 female occupational therapy students were tested Very high interrater reliability (right r = .97, left r = .99) was found Test-retest reliability was reported to be moderate to high (right r = .69, left r = .43) and a significant practice effect was found between the test and retest occasions. Possible variables that may have affected these results are discussed To evaluate concurrent validity, the Nine Hole Peg Test was compared to the Purdue Pegboard. The observed correlations (right r = −.61, left r = −.53) indicated that the tests are similar but not equivalent tests of finger dexterity. For the normative data study, 628 normal subjects from 20 to 94 years were tested Data were stratified by sex and by 12 age groups to allow the...

A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: towards a standardised approach

Abstract: Background: the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People has developed a clinical definition of sarcopenia based on low muscle mass and reduced muscle function (strength or performance). Grip strength is recommended as a good simple measure of muscle strength when ‘measured in standard conditions’. However, standard conditions remain to be defined. Methods: a literature search was conducted to review articles describing the measurement of grip strength listed in Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 31 December 2009. Results: there is wide variability in the choice of equipment and protocol for measuring grip strength. The Jamar hand dynamometer is the most widely used instrument with established test–retest, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. However, there is considerable variation in how it is used and studies often provide insufficient information on the protocol followed making comparisons difficult. There is evidence that variation in approach can affect the values recorded. Furthermore, reported summary measures of grip strength vary widely including maximum or mean value, from one, two or three attempts, with either hand or the dominant hand alone. Conclusions: there is considerable variation in current methods of assessing grip strength which makes comparison between studies difficult. A standardised method would enable more consistent measurement of grip strength and better assessment of sarcopenia. Our approach is described.

Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Abstract: Purpose—The aim of this guideline is to provide a synopsis of best clinical practices in the rehabilitative care of adults recovering from stroke. Methods—Writing group members were nominated by th...

Characteristics of Physical Activities in Daily Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract: Quantification of physical activities in daily life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increasing clinical interest.However,detailedcomparisonwithhealthysubjectsisnotavailable.Furthermore,itisunknownwhethertimespentactivelyduring daily life is related to lung function, muscle force, or maximal and functional exercise capacity. We assessed physical activities and movement intensity with the DynaPort activity monitor in 50 patients (age 64 7 years; FEV1 43 18% predicted) and 25 healthy elderly individuals (age 66 5 years). Patients showed lower walking time (44 26 vs. 81 26 minutes/day), standing time (191 99 vs. 295 109 minutes/day), and movement intensity during walking (1.8 0.3 vs. 2.4 0.5 m/second 2 ;p 0.0001 for all), as well as higher sitting time (374 139 vs. 306 108 minutes/day; p 0.04) and lying time (87 97 vs. 29 33 minutes/day; p 0.004). Walking time was highly correlated with the 6-minute walking test (r 0.76, p 0.0001) and more modestly to maximal exercise capacity, lung function, and muscle force (0.28 r 0.64, p 0.05). Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are

Development of a multiple sclerosis functional composite as a clinical trial outcome measure

Abstract: The primary clinical outcome measure for evaluating multiple sclerosis in clinical trials has been Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale (EDSS). New therapies appear to favourably impact the course of multiple sclerosis and render continued use of placebo control groups more difficult. Consequently, future trials are likely to compare active treatment groups which will most probably require increased sample sizes in order to detect therapeutic efficacy. Because more responsive outcome measures will be needed for active arm comparison studies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Advisory Committee on Cinical Trials of New Agents in Multiple Sclerosis appointed a Task Force that was charged with developing improved clinical outcome measures. This Task Force acquired contemporary clinical trial and historical multiple sclerosis data for meta-analyses of primary and secondary outcome assessments to provide a basis for recommending a new outcome measure. A composite measure encompassing the major clinical dimensions of arm, leg and cognitive function was identified and termed the multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC). The MSFC consists of three objective quantitative tests of neurological function which are easy to administer. Change in this MSFC over the first year of observation predicted subsequent change in the EDSS, suggesting that the MSFC is more sensitive to change than the EDSS. This paper provides details concerning the development and testing of the MSFC.