Effect of Telemonitoring Versus Conventional Physiotherapy Techniques in Improving Grip Strength among Postmenopausal Home Makers

Hand grip strength is important for performing hand movements in day to day activities. Reduction in same is caused by age, postmenopausal and repeated performance of chores. Studies suggest that reduced isometric is due to menopause. Telemonitoring use is becoming increasingly common all over the world. However, supplemental evidence to further the use of telemonitoring for providing enhanced service access to postmenopausal women with decreased hand grip strength is limited, causing a need to find out telemonitoring effect in performing exercises.

Experimental study of pre-post type was conducted among postmenopausal home makers with convenient sampling of 60 samples within age group of 45–60 in Chennai. Nordic questionnaire was given to find out musculoskeletal problems. Selected participants were given Patient Rated Wrist Hand Evaluation to rate pain and tested for hand grip strength in right dominant hand using Jamar Hand Held Dynamometer. Based on results, participants were taught hand grip strengthening exercises and asked to perform for 3 days per week for 6 weeks. They were divided into three groups; was monitored using video, second was taught and given a printout of exercise and third were just taught. Post test was done on completion of 6 weeks.

Group A which underwent telemonitoring for 6 weeks has shown a significant change in mean value between the pre test and post test of hand grip strength in the dominant right hand at P<0.005.

In accordance with the statistical result, all those who have underwent telemonitoring exercises have shown significant improvement in the hand grip of the dominant right hand. Thus, there is a significant effect of telemonitoring exercise in improving grip strength among postmenopausal home makers.