Smiley TN, Radwan HA, Cowie RJ; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. MoPeB3155.
Winston Salem State University, Dept. Physical Therapy, Winston-Salem, NC 27110, United States
BACKGROUND: Functional handgrip strength can be used as a standard method to detect decreases in strength that indirectly indicate generalized muscle weakness and the resulting metabolic changes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the handgrip strength between individuals with HIV/AIDS and healthy age- and gender-matched subjects. It was hypothesized that subjects with HIV/AIDS will display significantly reduced handgrip strength compared to the healthy individuals. METHODS: Forty subjects, between 25-45 years of age were used in this study: 20 diagnosed with HIV/AIDS for at least two years, and 20 healthy subjects. Participants were recruited from Winston-Salem, NC, USA and the adjacent communities. Each subject signed an Informed Consent Form and was tested using a hand dynamometer. Three trials of handgrip strength for each side were recorded. The average strength of the dominant and non-dominant hand was calculated and a one-way ANOVA used to compare the means for both groups. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant reduction in handgrip strength of both dominant (p=.020) and non-dominant (p=.004) sides for the male individuals with HIV/AIDS. No differences were found in the handgrip strength between female groups. CONCLUSIONS: Handgrip strength can be used as a simple and efficient indicator of early generalized weakness of male individuals with HIV/AIDS. Use of this test will promote early intervention to raise and maintain body strength, thus improving the quality of life for these individuals.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Case-Control Studies
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Female
- Hand
- Hand Strength
- Human Body
- Male
- methods
Other ID:
UI: 102252289
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