12/12/2025
In supervision today we have been speaking about hand strength and the importance of why as OT's we measure, target and track hand grip strength (via the wonderful GripAble )
We have looked at this article, which affirms our deeper dive into what we do:
“Hand grip strength as a proposed new vital sign of health: a narrative review of evidences”
Key findings;
The paper reviews a large body of international evidence and concludes that hand grip strength (HGS) is a powerful, global indicator of health, not just a local measure of hand or upper limb strength.
The authors highlight that reduced grip strength is consistently associated with:
Increased mortality risk
Poorer cardiovascular health
Higher rates of metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes)
Reduced psychological wellbeing
Frailty and sarcopenia
Reduced functional independence
Longer hospital stays and poorer recovery outcomes
Importantly, grip strength:
Is easy, quick, low-cost, and non-invasive to measure
Shows strong predictive value across the lifespan, not just in older adults
Reflects overall neuromuscular integrity, not isolated hand function
The authors propose that grip strength should be viewed similarly to blood pressure or BMI — as a “vital sign” of health.
Why Grip Strength Is More Than “Hand Strength”
The paper emphasises that grip strength reflects the integration of:
Central nervous system function
Peripheral nerve integrity
Muscle mass and quality
Postural control and proximal stability
Motivation, fatigue, and psychological state
In other words, grip strength is a whole-body, whole-system output, not a single muscle group.
Direct Relevance to Occupational Therapy Practice
1. Validates OT’s Functional Lens:
As OTs, we already treat hand strength as functionally meaningful, not just biomechanical.
This paper reinforces that:
Reduced grip strength often mirrors reduced participation, not just weakness
Changes in grip strength may signal declining occupational performance before overt disability appears
➡️ This supports the OT role in early identification, prevention, and functional intervention, not just rehabilitation.
2. Strengthens the Case for Grip Strength in OT Assessment
The evidence supports grip strength as:
A screening tool for functional risk
A baseline marker for tracking intervention impact
A red flag when changes occur unexpectedly (fatigue, illness, mental health decline)
3. Supports OT Work Across the Lifespan
While much research focuses on adults, the implications extend clearly to paediatrics and neurodevelopmental practice:
For children and young people:
- Grip strength reflects proximal stability, sensory integration, and motor planning
- Low grip strength often correlates with:
- Poor postural control
- Fatigue
- Reduced independence in self-care, handwriting, tool use
It can indicate wider sensory-motor immaturity, not just “weak hands”
➡️ This reinforces why OTs focus on shoulder girdle, trunk, proprioception, and endurance, not just finger exercises.
4. Reinforces the OT Emphasis on Participation, Not Numbers
The article cautions against using grip strength in isolation. This mirrors OT reasoning:
Grip strength matters because of what it enables
The real outcome is occupational engagement, not force production alone
➡️ OT intervention improves grip strength through meaningful occupation, which may be why OT-led programmes often show broader functional gains than isolated strengthening.
Key Takeaway for OT Practice
This research strongly supports the OT position that:
Hand grip strength is a proxy marker for global health, functional capacity, and participation — not just hand power.
It legitimises:
The weight we place on hand strength in assessments
The time we invest in foundational sensory-motor work
The occupation-based approach to building strength, endurance, and confidence
In short, the paper provides strong evidence-based backing for what OTs already do well — using hand strength as a window into the person, not just the hand.
📚 Reference:
Vaishya et al. (2024). Hand grip strength as a proposed new vital sign of health: a narrative review of evidences. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition.
