Richard W Bohannon1. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health, University of Connecticut, U-2101, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA. richard.bohannon@uconn.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of manual muscle testing. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional strength data. SETTING: Acute rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 107 consecutive qualifying rehabilitation inpatients. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee extension forces measured by manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometry. RESULTS: The ability of manual muscle testing to detect 15, 20, 25 and 30% between-side differences and deficits in knee extension force was described. Although the specificity of manual muscle testing was acceptable (mostly > 80%), its sensitivity to differences between sides and to deficits relative to normal never exceeded 75%. Its diagnostic accuracy was never greater than 78%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study cast doubt on the suitability of manual muscle testing as a screening test for strength impairments.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of manual muscle testing. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional strength data. SETTING: Acute rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 107 consecutive qualifying rehabilitation inpatients. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee extension forces measured by manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometry. RESULTS: The ability of manual muscle testing to detect 15, 20, 25 and 30% between-side differences and deficits in knee extension force was described. Although the specificity of manual muscle testing was acceptable (mostly > 80%), its sensitivity to differences between sides and to deficits relative to normal never exceeded 75%. Its diagnostic accuracy was never greater than 78%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study cast doubt on the suitability of manual muscle testing as a screening test for strength impairments.
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