GripAble: Interrater reliability and normative grip strength of UK population.

BACKGROUND: Hand grip strength is an established indicator of individual health status and is used as a biomarker for predicting mortality, disability, and disease risks. GripAble hand grip dynamometer offers a modernized approach to measuring grip strength with its digital and high-accuracy measurement system. PURPOSE: This study aimed to (1) assess the interrater reliability of maximum grip strength (MGS) measurement and (2) establish GripAble's own gender-, age group- and hand-stratified normative MGS reference values of the adult UK population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. METHODS: Interrater reliability among three raters assessing 30 participants across diverse age groups was measured using the intraclass correlation. In the second study, 11 investigators gathered MGS data from 907 participants across diverse age groups and gender. The average, standard deviation, minimum, median, maximum, and percentiles of MGS were computed for each gender, age group, and hand (L/R). The relationship between MGS and age was examined using quantile regression analysis. Additionally, generalized linear model regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of participants' demographics (gender, hand [L/R], hand length, hand circumference, age, weight, and height) on MGS. RESULTS: MGS measurements between raters showed excellent agreement (ICC(2,1) = 0.991, 95% confidence interval [0.98, 1.0]). The MGS and age relationship follows a curvilinear pattern, reaching a peak median MGS values of up to 20 kg between 30 and 49 years for females and up to 35 kg between 30 and 59 years for males. Subsequently, MGS declined as age advanced. Gender and hand (L/R) emerged as the primary factors influencing MGS, followed by hand length, hand circumference, age, weight, and height. CONCLUSIONS: The presented normative MGS reference values can be used for interpreting MGS measurements obtained from adults in the United Kingdom using GripAble. This study, along with previous studies on GripAble devices, confirms GripAble as a reliable and valid tool for measuring MGS.

Urine flow acceleration in healthy children: A retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: To establish normal reference values of urine flow acceleration (Qacc ) in healthy children, as there is a lack of nomograms for normative reference values of Qacc by voided volumes in the pediatric population so far. Qacc might be an early indicator of autonomic neuropathy in children and adolescents. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from healthy children who underwent uroflowmetry between 1990 and 1992. Exclusion criteria were voided volume less than 20 ml, and postvoid residual more than 15%. Baseline characteristics and uroflowmetry parameters were collected from girls and boys aged between 6 and 18 years. Voided volume, voiding time, time to maximum flow rate, and maximum and average flow rates of urine were measured, and Qacc was calculated. Postvoid bladder diameter was measured by ultrasonography and converted to volume. RESULTS: Uroflowmetry parameters of 208 children (≤18 years old, 45.2% girls, mean age 9.68 ± 3.09 years) who performed 404 micturition were analyzed. Median voided volume, voiding time, time to Qmax , Qave , Qmax , Qacc , and postvoid residual volume were 130 [20-460] ml, 10 [3-56] s, 3 [1-14] s, 11.7 [2.5-36.6] ml/s, 20.5 [5-50] ml/s, 6 [0.81-25] ml/s2 , and 1.83 [0-38.62] ml, respectively. Qacc nomograms were given in centile forms for girls and boys separately, which show an inversely proportional correlation between voided volumes. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first nomograms for normative reference values of Qacc in the pediatric population (girls and boys separately) by voided volumes in centile forms. These may be useful to interpret abnormal Qacc values and diagnose lower urinary tract diseases over a wide range of voided volumes.

Localised relative scotoma in cuticular drusen.

PURPOSE: To investigate retinal sensitivity changes in eyes with pure cuticular drusen. METHODS: Multimodal imaging and microperimetry (37-loci grid) data were examined retrospectively to evaluate functional changes in eyes with pure cuticular drusen. Mean sensitivity in the cuticular drusen cohort was compared to age-matched normals. An age- and loci-specific normative reference was created to analyse localised sensitivity deviation. RESULTS: The mean number loci with relative scotoma in the cuticular drusen cohort (n = 27, mean [SD] age: 48.5 [12.4] years) referenced to normal eyes (n = 80, 53.5 [14.6] years) was 5.5 (95% confidence interval 3.0 to 8.1). However, mean sensitivity was not statistically different to the age-matched normal cohort (95% CI, - 2.3 to + 3.4 dB). The 37-loci grid was stratified into three rings of the approximately same number of loci, and the percentage of cuticular drusen eyes with pointwise deviation was significantly lower in the inner compared to the middle ring (12.3 [5.3]% vs. 17.3 [5.1]%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with cuticular drusen demonstrated relative scotoma, but mean sensitivity was not affected. Pointwise sensitivity provides a more robust measure of retinal sensitivity than mean sensitivity in cuticular drusen and should be assessed both in the clinic and in future clinical trials.

Limitations of 6-minute walk test reference values for spinal muscular atrophy.

INTRODUCTION: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a well-established clinical assessment of functional endurance, validated as a measure of walking ability in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The current availability of disease-modifying therapies for SMA indicates a growing need for normative reference data to compare SMA patients with healthy controls. METHODS: The literature was searched in two scientific databases. Studies were evaluated and selected based on adherence to American Thoracic Society guidelines for administering the 6MWT. Reference equations from the selected studies were applied to 6MWT data collected from SMA patients to calculate and compare % predicted values. RESULTS: Three pediatric and six adult studies were selected for comparison. The % predicted values using the pediatric and adult equations ranged from 47.7 ± 18.2% to 67.6 ± 26.2% and 43.0 ± 17.9% to 59.5 ± 26.2%, respectively, and were significantly different (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Results suggest significant variability between % predicted values derived from published reference equations in children and adults, despite adherence to 6MWT standardization.

Age-adjusted CSF t-tau and NfL do not improve diagnostic accuracy for prodromal Alzheimer's disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid total-tau (t-tau) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are biomarkers of neurodegeneration and are increased in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to adjust for age-related increases in t-tau and NfL, cross-sectional age-adjusted norms were developed based on amyloid negative cognitively normal (CN) adults aged 41-78 years (CN, n = 137). The age-adjusted norms for t-tau and NfL did not improve receiver operating curve based diagnostic accuracies in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (AD-MCI, n = 144). Furthermore, while NfL was correlated with higher age in AD-MCI, no significant correlation was found for t-tau. The cox proportional hazard models, applied in 429 participants with baseline t-tau and NfL, showed higher hazard ratio of progression to MCI or dementia without age-adjustments (HR = 3.39 for t-tau and HR = 3.17 for NfL), as compared to using our norms (HR = 2.29 for t-tau and HR = 1.89 for NfL). Our results indicate that utilizing normative reference data could obscure significant age-related increases in these markers associated with neurodegeneration and AD leading to a potential loss of overall diagnostic accuracy.

Normative Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Parameters and Reference Intervals in Infants.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric echocardiography, reference intervals are required to distinguish normal variation from pathology. Left ventricular (LV) parameters are particularly important predictors of clinical outcome. However, data from healthy newborns are limited, and current reference intervals provide an inadequate approximation of normal reference ranges. OBJECTIVES: Normative reference intervals and z-scores for 2-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of LV structure and function based on a large group of healthy newborns were developed. METHODS: The study population included 13,454 healthy newborns from the Copenhagen Baby Heart Study who were born at term to healthy mothers, had an echocardiogram performed within 30 days of birth, and did not have congenital heart disease. To develop normative reference intervals, this study modeled 10 LV parameters as a function of body surface area through joint modeling of 4 statistical components. RESULTS: Infants in the study population (48.5% were female) had a median body surface area of 0.23 m2 (IQR: 0.22-0.25 m2) and median age of 12.0 days (IQR: 8.0-15.0 days) at examination. All normative reference intervals performed well in both sexes without stratification on infant sex. In contrast, creation of separate reference models for infants examined at <7 days of age and those examined at 7-30 days of age was necessary to optimize the performance of the reference intervals. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides normative reference intervals and z-scores for 10 clinical, widely used echocardiographic measures of LV structure and function based on a large cohort of newborns. These results provide highly needed reference material for clinical application by pediatric cardiologists.

Reference Values, Determinants and Regression Equation for the Timed-Up and Go Test (TUG) in Healthy Asian Population Aged 21 to 85 Years.

The "Timed-Up-and-Go" test (TUG) is a standard assessment tool for functional mobility as it assesses several functional components, including balance, gait, and lower-extremity strength. It has good reliability and validity and is cost-effective and safe, making it an ideal screening tool for falls in various populations, such as older adults or various conditions. However, TUG interpretation relies on comparisons against local normative reference values (NRV), which few studies established for the Asian or younger population. Hence, this study aims to: (1) establish the normative reference values NRV for the population aged 21 to 85 years; (2) determine demographic and anthropometric variables that influence the TUG results; and (3) establish the regression equation of the TUG. A prospective, convenience sampling cross-sectional study recruited subjects aged 21-85 from the community to complete two TUG trials in various parts of Singapore. Variables collected include gender, age, height (meters, m), weight (kilograms, kg), and hand grip strength (HGS) (kg). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) determined test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliabilities. TUG and variables were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistical significance. Further, 838 subjects (542 females, 296 males) completed the data collection. The mean TUG time was 9.16 s (95% CI 9.01-9.3). Slower TUG was observed with advanced age and female gender. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age, height, and weight were the best variables to predict TUG scores. The regression formula presented as: TUG (second) = 9.11 + 0.063 (Age, years)-3.19 (Height, meters) + 0.026 (Weight, Kilograms) (R2 = 0.374, p < 0.001). This study provided the TUG NRV and regression formula for healthy Asian adults aged 21 to 85. The information may provide a quick reference for the physical function to interpret assessment findings and guide decision-making in various health and healthcare settings.

The six spot step test is superior in detecting walking capacity impairments compared to short- and long-distance walk tests in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Walking capacity is important not only to persons with multiple sclerosis but also to clinical practice and research. The present study aims to compare the extent of impairments (relative to healthy controls) across three commonly used walking capacity outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis. Methods: In a two-hospital cross-sectional study, walking capacity was assessed using the timed-25-footwalk-test (timed 25-ft walk test; 'walking speed'), the six-minute-walk-test ('walking endurance') and the six-spot-step-test ('walking balance and coordination'). Data were compared to normative reference data in healthy controls. Results: A total of 228 persons with multiple sclerosis (68% females) were involved in the study: age 53.7 ± 11.6 y (range 26-81 y); patient-determined-disease-steps 3 [IQR; 1; 4] (range 0-7); time since diagnosis 12.6 ± 9.9 y (range 0-49 y); MS-phenotype (relapse remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS) 146/39/41; and co-morbidity n = 80 (35%). Compared to healthy controls, deficits were observed across all walking capacity outcomes (p < 0.001): timed 25-foot walk test -26 [-30; -23]%, 6 minute-walk-test -36 [-39; -32]% and six-spot-step-test -44 [-47; -40]%. Deficits differed across walking capacity outcomes (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Altogether, persons with multiple sclerosis performed substantially worse than healthy controls across all three walking capacity outcomes. The results showed that the six-spot-step-test was superior to the timed 25-foot walk test and the 6 minute-walk-test in detecting walking capacity impairments in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Secular trends of cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents over a 35-year period: Chronicle of a predicted foretold.

Background: In the context of concerns regarding the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of youth populations, the aims of this study were: (1) to update reference values for the VO2max for school-aged Canadians and (2) to document secular trends in CRF after a 35-year interval. Methods: Between September 2014 and April 2017, the CRF of 3725 students (53.2% boys; 6.0 to 17.9 yrs) was determined using the 20-m shuttle run test. The sample was collected in 36 different schools from six cities of Québec (Canada). Results: Median values of VO2max decreased with age in both sexes (p ≤ 0.05). By the age of 10, more than 20% of boys showed VO2max values below the recommended value (42 ml·kg-1·min-1). At the age of 17, that proportion reached 56.8%. A similar proportion of 12 yrs girls (20%) were under the recommended minimal value (37 ml·kg-1·min-1) and that value reached 69.9% at the age of 17. Compared to 1982, the VO2max at age 17 has declined by 18% for boys and 12% for girls. The situation is worse in terms of functional capacity (number of stages completed) with an overall decrease of more than 30%. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, compared to data obtained using the same methodology 35 years ago, the CRF and functional capacity of children and adolescents has declined to levels that should raise concerns from a public health perspective. Thus, the development of strategies to promote a physically active lifestyle in youth is more relevant than ever.

Shoulder Rotation Strength Changes From Preseason to Midseason: A Cohort Study of 292 Youth Elite Handball Players Without Shoulder Problems.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate change in shoulder rotation strength from preseason to midseason during a competitive season in youth elite handball players without shoulder problems. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Players (n = 292, 45% female, 14-18 years of age) without shoulder problems from Danish youth elite handball clubs were assessed in the preseason and midseason. We measured isometric shoulder strength using handheld dynamometry in internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) in supine, with the shoulder abducted 90° in neutral rotation and in 30° of IR. The primary outcome was the change in corresponding ER/IR ratio. RESULTS: The mean ER/IR ratios increased from preseason to midseason in neutral rotation (male player difference, 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.01, 0.06; female player difference, 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.09) and in 30° of IR (male player difference, 0.15; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.20; female player difference, 0.12; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.17). The change in ER/IR ratio may be explained by an increase in ER strength in female players and a decrease in IR strength in male players. The amount of change in ER/IR ratio over the season was greater than individual measurement error metrics for 45% to 66% of the players. CONCLUSION: Shoulder rotation strength ratios changed during a competitive season in Danish youth elite handball players. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(7):381-387. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9183.

Main concepts for two picture description tasks: An addition to.

BACKGROUND: Proposition analysis of the discourse of persons with aphasia has a long history, yielding important advancements in our understanding of communication impairments in this population. Recently, discourse measures have been considered primary outcome measures, and multiple calls have been made for improved psychometric properties of discourse measures. AIMS: To advance the use of discourse analysis in persons with aphasia by providing Main Concept Analysis checklists and descriptive statistics for healthy control performance on the analysis for the Cat in the Tree and Refused Umbrella narrative tasks utilized in the AphasiaBank database protocol. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Ninety-two control transcripts, stratified into four age groups (20-39 years; 40-59; 60-79; 80+), were downloaded from the AphasiaBank database. Relevant concepts were identified, and those spoken by at least one-third of the control sample were considered to be a main concept. A multi-level coding system was used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the main concepts produced by control speakers. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Main concept checklists for two discourse tasks are provided. Descriptive statistics are reported and examined to assist readers with evaluation of the normative data. CONCLUSIONS: These checklists provide clinicians and researchers with a tool to reliably assess the discourse of persons with aphasia. They also help address the gap in available psychometric data with which to compare persons with aphasia to healthy controls.

Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test: Normative Reference Values for Ages 20 to 59 Years and Relationships With Physical and Mental Health Risk Factors.

PURPOSE: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a reliable, cost-effective, safe, and time-efficient way to evaluate overall functional mobility. However, the TUG does not have normative reference values (NRV) for individuals younger than 60 years. The purpose of this study was to establish NRV for the TUG for individuals aged between 20 and 59 years and to examine the relationship between the TUG and demographic, physical, and mental health risk factors. METHODS: Two hundred participants, 50 per decade (ages 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years) were selected at their primary care visit, and timed as they performed the TUG by standing up out of a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back to the chair, and sitting down. Information regarding the risk factors socioeconomic status, body mass index, an index of multimorbidities, perceptions of overall physical and mental health was obtained and used as predictors of TUG time independent of age. RESULTS: TUG times were significantly different among the decades ( F = 6.579, P = .001) with slower times occurring with the 50-year-old decade compared with the 20s ( P = .001), 30s ( P = .001), and 40s ( P = .020). Slower TUG times were associated with lower SES, higher body mass index, more medical comorbidities, and worse perceived physical and mental health. Regression results indicated that perceived physical and mental health accounted for unique variance in the prediction of TUG time beyond age, gender, and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided TUG NRV for adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. The TUG may have utility for primary care providers as they assess and monitor physical activity in younger adults, especially those with physical and mental health risk factors.

Spatiotemporal and plantar pressure patterns of 1000 healthy individuals aged 3-101 years.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish normative reference values for spatiotemporal and plantar pressure parameters, and to investigate the influence of demographic, anthropometric and physical characteristics. METHODS: In 1000 healthy males and females aged 3-101 years, spatiotemporal and plantar pressure data were collected barefoot with the Zeno™ walkway and Emed® platform. Correlograms were developed to visualise the relationships between widely reported spatiotemporal and pressure variables with demographic (age, gender), anthropometric (height, mass, waist circumference) and physical characteristics (ankle strength, ankle range of motion, vibration perception) in children aged 3-9 years, adolescents aged 10-19 years, adults aged 20-59 years and older adults aged over 60 years. RESULTS: A comprehensive catalogue of 31 spatiotemporal and pressure variables were generated from 1000 healthy individuals. The key findings were that gait velocity was stable during adolescence and adulthood, while children and older adults walked at a comparable slower speed. Peak pressures increased during childhood to older adulthood. Children demonstrated highest peak pressures beneath the rearfoot whilst adolescents, adults and older adults demonstrated highest pressures at the forefoot. Main factors influencing spatiotemporal and pressure parameters were: increased age, height, body mass and waist circumference, as well as ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion strength. CONCLUSION: This study has established whole of life normative reference values of widely used spatiotemporal and plantar pressure parameters, and revealed changes to be expected across the lifespan.

Normative adductor squeeze tests scores in rugby.

BACKGROUND: Groin pain is a common problem. Adductor squeeze tests are used to diagnose, monitor and prophylactically determine the risk of developing groin pain. This study defines normative adductor squeeze scores in professional rugby that will facilitate strength monitoring during screening. METHODS: Using a sphygnamometer, squeeze scores were collected, at one professional rugby club as part of the pre-season screening for two seasons. Scores were collected in four positions. For all positions mean strength and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Data were collected for 81 athletes. Mean strength for adduction at 60° was 220.1 (212.2-228.1); 0° 211.1 (201.7-220.5); 90°90° 198.8 (190.0-207.7); 90°90° supported 224.9 (214.9-234.9). Backs had lower squeeze scores than forwards for 0°, 90°:90° and 90°:90° supported (p > 0.05 for all four tests); older players had lower scores, as did shorter and lighter players (p > 0.05 except for height with test 60° p = 0.048 and test 90°:90° supported p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: This study establishes references ranges for adductor squeeze tests for normative pre-season data in non-injured rugby players. This information will enable evaluation and inform return to play judgements following adductor related injury.