Grip strength implementation in routine practice (GRImP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Implementing grip strength measurement into routine clinical practice; a feasibility study (GRImP)
IRAS ID
179378
Contact name
Helen Roberts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NCTO2447445, Clinical trials.gov
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 26 days
Research summary
Hand grip strength (GS) is a non-invasive marker of whole body skeletal muscle strength and function used in research and recommended as a simple inexpensive measure suitable for clinical use. Research has shown that low GS among inpatients is associated with poor healthcare outcomes including longer length of stay, increased functional limitations and disability. Measuring GS on admission to hospital has the potential to identify people at risk of poor healthcare outcomes allowing early intervention including focus on nutrition and mobility. Yet, GS measurement is not routinely used in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of GS measurement into routine clinical practice in Medicine for Older People (MOP) wards at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). This will be a mixed research methods study involving both qualitative, quantitative and economic elements. First, we will define current baseline practice for identifying inpatients at high risk of poor healthcare outcomes, and the management of their nutrition and mobility using interviews, focus groups, and audit of clinical records. Secondly, we will train nursing and medical staff to measure GS routinely and develop a care plan for managing patients who have low grip strength. Routine assessment of GS for patients admitted to MOP will be implemented and monitored and reinforced if necessary. The evaluation of the implementation will include assessing the acceptability of GS measurement, its adoption, coverage, and basic costs. The results of this study will inform the translation of grip strength measurement from research studies to clinical practice.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0212
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion