ABSTRACT

Background and objectives:This study focused on exploring the relationship between handgrip strength and Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) among cardiac disease patients.

Methods:This is a cross-sectional study. The study conducted at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital. Subjects were recruited based on selection criteria as set by the study protocol involved 50 subjects and it was carried out in among conservative management cardiac patients. Main outcome measures was to measure the handgrip strength using Jamar hand dynamometer and the LVEF was assessed by echocardiography. Spearman-rank correlation and simple linear regression analysis were used to analyse the study results.

Results:There was a relationship found between bilateral handgrip strength and LVEF among cardiac patients with dominant handgrip strength showed higher correlation value, ρ= 0.375 (p< 0.05) as compared to the non-dominant handgrip strength ρ= 0.334 (p<0.05). However, there was no significant relationship found between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength and LVEF among male subject with ρ=0.102 (p0.546) and ρ0.155 (p0.360). There were also non-significant relationship between non-dominant handgrip strength and LVEF among female subject ρ=0.348 (p0.203) but significant positive relationship for dominant handgrip strength with LVEF ρ=0.500 (p0.030). Simple linear regression analysis demonstrated an interaction between non-dominant handgrip strength and LVEF (R²=.081, p <0.05) with small effect size.

Conclusion:The correlation analysis of the present study demonstrated relationship between bilateral handgrip strength with ventricular function. The subgroup analysis between the genders showed there was significant relationship found between dominant handgrip strength and LVEF among female subject only. Therefore, handgrip strength able provides valid information about ventricular function as the variables were related among female individuals with cardiac disease.

Keywords:Handgrip strength, Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac disease.