Handgrip Strength in Lung Transplant Candidates and Recipients.

The searched databases returned 73 citations. Nine articles considering 487 patients (49% female) were included in the final analysis; 7 studies were observational, and 2 were randomized controlled trials. In 7 of 9 studies, handgrip strength was measured with a hydraulic dynamometer. In candidates for lung transplant, handgrip strength ranged from 27.1 kg (before rehabilitation) to 31.2 kg (after rehabilitation). In lung transplant recipients, handgrip strength ranged from 21.1 kg (before rehabilitation) to 35.7 kg (after rehabilitation). Handgrip strength in lung transplant candidates with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was higher (89 ± 18% predicted) versus patients with interstitial lung disease (79 ± 18% predicted). Improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure were observed in those patients whose handgrip strength improved after rehabilitation. Nonsarcopenic patients walked longer distances for the 6-minute walking test (>450 m) versus sarcopenic patients (<310 m) and had higher handgrip strength (>20 kg) versus sarcopenic patients (<20 kg). Handgrip strength testing should be implemented both in preoperative and postoperative contexts to evaluate physical potential of patients and drive rehabilitative activities toward the most impaired domains.