ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างแรงบีบมือต่อความสามารถในการเคลื่อนไหวในผู้ป่วยโรคอ้วน: การศึกษาแบบย้อนหลัง

Maneepun  Laophosri; Rungrudee  Pholboon; Wantipa  Pudonmaung; Supreeya  Rachashiha; Jittima Saengsuwan

Authors

Maneepun Laophosri Physical Therapist, Physical therapy unit, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Rungrudee Pholboon Physical Therapist, Physical therapy unit, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Wantipa Pudonmaung Physical Therapist, Physical therapy unit, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Supreeya Rachashiha Physical Therapist, Physical therapy unit, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Jittima Saengsuwan Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Keywords:

Obesity, Hand Grip Strength, Functional Mobility

Abstract

Background: The Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) is widely used; however, its administration requires adequate space and time. Hand grip strength (HGS) is a simple and rapid measure of overall muscle strength that may offer a practical alternative in constrained settings.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between HGS and TUGT performance in patients with obesity and to evaluate whether HGS can serve as a proxy indicator of mobility impairment.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with obesity referred for physical therapy assessment at the Physical Therapy Unit, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. A total of 91 participants were included. HGS was measured using a handgrip dynamometer, and functional mobility was assessed using the TUGT. The association between HGS and TUGT was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the ability of HGS to identify reduced mobility (TUGT≥12 seconds).

Results: The majority of participants were female (67%) and the median age of 30 years. The median grip strength was 27 kg and the median TUGT time was 8.2 seconds. Grip strength was negatively correlated with TUGT (ρ=-0.38, p<0.001). Significant correlation was observed in women (ρ=-0.54, p<0.001), but not in men (ρ=-0.25, p=0.170). ROC analysis showed that grip strength had good discriminative ability for reduced mobility (AUC=0.86; 95% CI 0.70-1.00) in female with an optimal cut-off value of <17.5 kg.

Conclusions: Hand grip strength is associated with functional mobility in patients with obesity, particularly among women, and may serve as a practical screening tool in clinical settings.

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