Is a sphygmomanometer a valid and reliable tool to measure the isometric strength of hip muscles? A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Muscle strength measurement is a key component of physiotherapists’ assessment and is frequently used as an outcome measure. A sphygmomanometer is an instrument commonly used to measure blood pressure that can be potentially used as a tool to assess isometric muscle strength. Objective: To systematically review the evidence on the reliability and validity of a sphygmomanometer for measuring isometric strength of hip muscles. Method: A literature search was conducted across four databases. Studies were eligible if they presented data on reliability and/or validity, used a sphygmomanometer to measure isometric muscle strength of the hip region, and were peer reviewed. The individual studies were evaluated for quality using a standardized critical appraisal tool. Results: A total of 644 articles were screened for eligibility, with five articles chosen for inclusion. The use of a sphygmomanometer to objectively assess isometric muscle strength of the hip muscles appears to be reliable with intraclass correlation coefficient values ranging from 0.66 to 0.94 in elderly and young populations. No studies were identified that have assessed the validity of a sphygmomanometer. Conclusion: The sphygmomanometer appears to be reliable for assessment of isometric muscle strength around the hip joint, but further research is warranted to establish its validity.

• Hip
• muscle strength
• sphygmomanometer

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest.