Association between handgrip strength with pain, function and work ability in tertiary hospital workers with shoulder complaints

Objective: correlate handgrip strength with pain, function and work ability in workers with shoulder complaints.

Methods: cross-sectional observational study with 50 workers with shoulder pain in the last year, were assessed by (1) Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, that is a body map divided into 09 body segments; (2) Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), with score rating is 0 to 100, where higher the score, the greater the disability of the upper extremity; (3) Work Ability Index (WAI), which classify work ability as 7 - 27 = low, 28 - 36 = moderate, 37 - 43 = good and 44 - 49 = great; (4) Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), that classificates pain intensity in 0 = no pain 0; 1–3= mild pain; 4 - 6 = moderate pain ; 7- 10 = severe pain and (5) JAMAR™ isometric dynamometer to measure handgrip strenght. Data were analyzed with Spearman's Correlation Coefficient (ρ≤0.05) SPSS 20.0®.

Results: 56% males, mean age 47.1 years, 40% physically active, most administrative and general services workers. 44% of the sample reported being unable to perform tasks in the last 12 months. In the 7 days prior to data collection 78% reported shoulder problems and 38% in the neck. At the time of evaluation, 54% of volunteers reported more severe pain in the right shoulder, 38% in the left shoulder and 8% in the neck. The QuickDASH had a mean score of 32.4 (±20.9) classified as low level of dysfunction. The WAI had a mean score of 35.8 (±6.3), that is, moderate work ability. The mean intensity of pain by NPRS was moderate 4.1 (±2.9). There is a negative and moderate correlation between handgrip strength and QuickDASH (r = -0.44; p = 0.001). A positive and low correlation between handgrip strength and WAI (r = 0.39; p =0.005) and no significantly relevant correlation between handgrip strength with NPRS (r = -0.15; p =0.300).

Conclusions: Handgrip strength were inversely associated with upper extremity dysfunction. The inclusion of handgrip strength assessment in workers with shoulder complains is important to guide strategies to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.