Simple quantitative analysis of Hooverʹs test in patients with psychogenic and organic limb pareses

Objectives form a quantitative evaluation of Hooverʹs test using a simple device — routine weighing scales. To determine a cut-off value of a Hooverʹs index, and to analyze the behavior of Hooverʹs test in “painful paresis”. s bjects were 9 patients presenting with psychogenic paresis of one leg, 9 with organic paresis (after stroke), 9 with lumbar back and leg pain (lumbar radiculopathy), and 9 healthy controls. The following parameters were measured: the ratio between voluntary/involuntary pressure force of each leg [Hooverʹs index (HI)], the ratio between HI in the affected and non-affected leg [Side index (SI)]. s ts with psychogenic paresis had a significant increase in the HI in the affected leg and SI, compared to the other three groups. We suggest a cut-off of a Hooverʹs index of 1.4 as a cut-off value for future research studies. In our study we obtained a specificity and sensitivity of 100% (with 66.4–99.7 confidence interval). sion udy suggests that the quantitative analysis of the Hooverʹs test can be simple, reliable and cheap method of differential diagnosis between psychogenic and organic pareses, which could be of value in the routine neurological practice.