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PubMed1988

Muscle strength and muscle endurance of middle-aged women and men associated to type, duration and intensity of muscular load at work.

Muscle strength and muscle endurance in groups with different occupational muscular load was studied among 60 women and 69 men. The mean age of the subjects was 52.0 +/- 3.4 years. Isometric grip and trunk strength were measured on dynamometers, and dynamic muscle endurance by sit-ups. A job analysis was done with the AET method including the assessment of intensity, duration and type of muscular work of each subject. According to the job analysis, the subjects were classified into groups with low or high muscular load at work. The maximal isometric hand grip strength of women with a load classified as long duration of static or dynamic load on the hands at work was 86 and 88%, respectively of the strength of those with a load of short duration. The women with high intensity in static work had a grip strength of 86% of those with low intensity. These differences in strength among women between the high and low load groups were statistically significant (P less than 0.05). No other statistically significant differences in muscle strength or muscle endurance between the high and low work load groups were found, although the high work load group had systematically the lowest muscle strength and muscle endurance in almost all comparisons. Muscle strength and muscle endurance was, however, not a discriminating factor between the group classifications of static and dynamic work. The results indicated that the muscle strength and muscle endurance of middle-aged employees was systematically lower among those with high muscular load compared to those with low load at work.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Effects of upright posture on hand preference for reaching vs. the use of probing tools by tufted capuchins (Cebus apella).

This research examined the effects of task (reaching vs. tool use) and posture (quadrupedal vs. bipedal) on hand preference in tufted capuchins (Cebus apella). Regarding direction of hand preference, we found a significant main effect of posture, as the bipedal stance elicited greater use of the right hand than did the quadrupedal stance, and a significant posture x task interaction, as bipedal reaching elicited greater use of the right hand than did other postural and task conditions. Further, we found a significant main effect of task on strength of hand preference, as tool use elicited more consistent use of one hand over the other than did reaching. Our findings indicate that bipedal reaching facilitates a mild right-hand bias in intensely manipulative primates. We speculate that this moderate bias may have been pushed in the direction of nearly exclusive right-hand preference in most humans with the development of complex tool use.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Anatomical and behavioural asymmetries in right and left handers from India.

A biometric study of the right and left limb size and functional-behavioural measures, such as, strength of the hand and the foot, foot-eye-ear preferences, asymmetries in visual acuity and audiometry, asymmetries in taste and smell perceptions was made in a sample of Indian students to find out the interrelationships between the above parameters. Healthy adult male (n = 42), females (n = 45) right handers, and, male (n = 21), female (n = 20) left handers were studied. In each, 8 measurements of each of the limbs were taken, and the strength of the hands and feet determined. Hand and foot preferences were determined through 11 and 9 tasks respectively. Dominance in the eye, ear, taste and smell were ascertained by various tests. Right or left handedness and right footedness were clearly discernible but left footedness was indistinct. Right handedness was associated with dominant right upper limb and left handedness was associated with dominant left upper limb. Only right handers showed a dominant corresponding lower limb. Eyedness was related to handedness in males. Earedness and taste were associated with handedness in females. Smell had no relationship with handedness in both sexes. There was no interrelationship between handedness, footedness, eyedness, earedness, taste and smell.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1994

Maximal isometric strength and mobility among 75-year-old men and women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between maximal isometric strength and mobility among 75-year-old men and women. All those born in 1914 and resident in the city of Jyväskylä in August 1989 comprised the study group (n = 388); 355 persons were interviewed at their homes (92%): 101 men (81% of all male residents) and 186 women (75%) participated in the laboratory strength tests. As part of the home interview the person's mobility at home, on stairs and outdoors was assessed using a four-point scale:--1 able, 2--able with difficulty, 3--needs help, 4--unable. Poor mobility was more common among the drop-outs than among the strength-tested subjects in both sexes. Maximal isometric strength of hand grip, arm flexion, knee extension and trunk flexion and extension were measured using specially constructed dynamometers. The strength results were adjusted for body weight. The study also included a stair-mounting test and measurement of maximal walking speed. The body-weight adjusted maximal forces were consistently significantly associated with mobility. Those who claimed no problems in the mobility interview and performed better in the walking and stair-mounting tests exhibited greater maximal isometric strength. The present results indicate that maximal isometric strength tests provide useful information about physical functional capacity among elderly people. These findings also suggest that the maintenance of adequate strength could be favourable to the mobility of older persons.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

[STT arthrodesis as therapy of lunate necrosis in an advanced stage].

The results of STT-fusion for treatment of advanced Kienböck's disease were investigated in a retrospective study. The follow-up included 25 of 28 patients, the average follow-up time was 39 months. Pain relief, range of motion, grip strength and X-ray findings were the most important criteria for rating the results. On the one hand, there was a decrease of range of motion, but on the other hand, grip strength improved markedly. Of course, one part of the decrease of pain is caused by the performed partial denervation of the wrist. However, the decrease of pain was impressive.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Predictors of hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine: (1) what factors predict patient self-estimated hand function; (2) what factors predict actual hand function; and (3) the relationship among actual hand function, patient estimates of hand function, and self-assessed activities of daily living (ADL). METHODS: Fifty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed wrist and hand mobility measures, grip strength, pain, stiffness, and estimated hand function tests, along with the Sollerman Grip Function Test (actual hand function), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and subscales of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). RESULTS: Grip strength and stiffness were the strongest predictors of self-estimated hand function. Flexion and extension deficits in digits II through V were the strongest predictors of actual hand function. Actual hand function and self-estimated hand function were significantly correlated with each other and with the HAQ and AIMS subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of deficit are the most useful in predicting actual hand function, whereas measures of strength and flexibility are most useful for estimated hand function.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sensible manual muscle strength testing to evaluate and monitor strength of the intrinsic muscles of the hand: a commentary.

Hand therapists often assess, evaluate, and monitor the status of, and changes in the strength of, the intrinsic muscles of the hand. Some common indications are peripheral and central neuropathies and nerve lacerations and repairs. The therapist will often use a muscle chart that lists all the muscles innervated by the ulnar and median nerves, and all muscles will be tested. Not all muscles in the hand can be sufficiently isolated to grade their strength, nor is it always necessary to test all muscles innervated by a particular nerve to evaluate the presence or extent of motor function impairment or monitor changes. This paper discusses the tests by which changes in strength of the ulnar and median innervated intrinsic muscles can be assessed and the reasons that certain muscles cannot or need not be tested. Information about the reliability of muscle testing is also given.

Exercise Test↗
PubMed2001

Physical and exercise therapy for treatment of the rheumatoid hand.

OBJECTIVE: To study the short-term effects of physical therapy (ice massage or wax packs, thermal baths, and faradic hand baths) and exercise therapy on the rheumatoid hand. METHODS: The effect of individual physical therapy and exercise therapy programs was evaluated in 50 randomly selected rheumatoid arthritis inpatients (38 women and 12 men). Mean patient age (+/- SD) was 47.94 +/- 11.22 years, and mean disease duration was 5.04 +/- 4.80 years. The control group consisted of 50 randomly selected rheumatoid arthritis outpatients (37 women and 13 men; mean age 48.46 +/- 10.65 years, mean duration of disease 5.23 +/- 4.89 years) who at the time of the investigation were not receiving any physical or exercise therapy. The clinical indices used for evaluation of inflammation included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), pain intensity, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint size, and Ritchie articular index. Hand grip strength, palmar tip-to-tip and key pinch finger strength, finger range of motion, and activities of daily living (ADL) were the parameters used to assess the functional hand status. The study was single-blinded and of 3 weeks duration. RESULTS: In the physical therapy treated group, there was an improvement for most of the observed indices from baseline parameters that achieved statistical significance (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005) after the 3-week study period. ESR and PIP joint size improved clinically but failed to reach statistical significance. Patients had a more significant improvement in hand pain, joint tenderness, and ADL score (P < 0.005) than in range of motion (P < 0.01). All parameters in the control group slightly deteriorated over the study period. CONCLUSION: At least in the short term, physical and, particularly, exercise therapy produce a favorable improvement in the functional status of the rheumatoid hand.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Nerve transfer to biceps muscle using a part of the ulnar nerve in brachial plexus injury (upper arm type): a report of 32 cases.

Thirty-two patients with absent elbow flexion secondary to brachial plexus injury underwent nerve transfer using 1 or 2 fascicles of the ulnar nerve to the motor branch of the biceps muscle. Twenty-six patients had root avulsion injury of C5 and C6; 4 had root avulsion injury of C5, C6, and C7; and 2 had lateral and posterior cord injury with distal injury of the musculocutaneous nerve. The follow-up period ranged from 11 to 40 months (average, 18 months). Thirty patients had biceps strength of M4 (flexion power ranged from 0.5 to 7 kg) and 1 had biceps strength of M3. All but 1 patient demonstrated signs of recovery of the biceps muscle. No notable impairment of hand function was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Electromagnetic radiofrequency interference with Doppler equipment.

Doppler ultrasound equipments incorporate radiofrequency (RF) receivers operating at the microvolt level and are liable to interference from radiated fields and mains disturbances. The most significant interference routes are: radiation from radio broadcast, paging, communication and diathermy picked up on the transducer and patient acting as an aerial; and mains disturbances from diathermy, x-ray sets, motors and thyristor controls, etc, reaching the equipment interior. Direct mains interference can be reduced by proper design incorporating a mains filter, a low RF leakage enclosure, a ground plane, careful layout and further screening of the receiver circuits. Pick-up via the transducer occurs even if the signal leads are completely screened because an RF potential can exist between transducer and equipment enclosure due to the considerable impedance at RF of any wire or cable, typically 70 omega at 5 MHz for 2 m. This potential, reduced by about 50-60 dB, appears at the receiver input because of imperfect common mode rejection of the coupling cable. As a result, induced voltages above 100-300 microV may cause problems. It is shown that such levels can easily result from the interfering field strengths of 1 mV m-1 or more that may be experienced in a hospital environment. On the other hand, field strengths of 300 microV m-1, as generally allowed by regulatory standards at 3 m from interfering sources, should not cause much effect. Other interference can arise from modulation of a strong RF signal by mains frequency power components in the Doppler equipment and from associated computer circuits. These require careful layout to reduce electric and magnetic coupling, decoupling and filtering of power supplies and components, screening of RF circuits and particular attention to the reduction of power and computer signal currents flowing in RF signal earth paths. Finally, some initial simple acceptance tests for interference susceptibility are proposed, based on the application of 300 microV of RF signal between transducer body and equipment enclosure and 10 mV to the mains supply.

Equipment and Supplies↗
PubMed2003

Rheumatoid arthritis: hand function, activities of daily living, grip strength and essential assistive devices.

UNLABELLED: Persons with rheumatoid arthritis use assistive devices to enable them, in spite of impaired hand dexterity and grip strength, to manage Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The aim of the research was to lay the foundation for a list of essential assistive devices through determining which assistive devices for ADL were most often used and requested, investigating whether there was a correlation between grip strength and the number of assistive devices, duration of disease, degree of difficulty in performing ADL and by investigating whether there was a correlation between difficulty in ADL and number of assistive devices, duration of the disease. STUDY SAMPLE: Fifty five persons, 42 females and 13 males, seen at the Pretoria Academic Hospital's Arthritis Clinic were recruited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was used to determine the level of difficulty with ADL. Details about assistive devices were recorded. The modified sphygmomanometer was used to measure grip strength. RESULTS: Assistive devices most in use were the tap turner and the dagger knife with built up handle. The highest correlation was found between grip strength and difficulty in ADL and between difficulty in ADL and the number of assistive devices used. It seems therefore that loss of grip strength is the main indicator for assistive devices.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2004

Measuring the strength of the intrinsic muscles of the hand in patients with ulnar and median nerve injuries: reliability of the Rotterdam Intrinsic Hand Myometer (RIHM).

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability and measurement error of measurements of intrinsic muscle strength of a new hand-held dynamometer (the Rotterdam Intrinsic Hand Myometer [RIHM]). METHODS: With the RIHM we obtained repeated measurements of the intrinsic muscle strength of the hand in 27 patients with peripheral nerve injury of the ulnar and/or median nerve in different stages of rehabilitation. The average time period after injury was 4.4 years (range, 99 days-11 years). RESULTS: Differences between 2 measurements greater than 6.3 N were interpreted as a real change in assessing the strength of the abduction of the little and index finger; for the median innervated muscles of the thumb this value was 16 N. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with nerve injuries the muscle strength is usually assessed with manual muscle strength testing and grip- and pinch-strength dynamometers. Preferably the intrinsic muscle strength should be measured in isolation and quantitatively. The RIHM is a new dynamometer that allows for measurements of the intrinsic muscle strength in isolation with reliability comparable to grip and pinch measurements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Relationship among grip strength, functional outcomes, and work performance following hand trauma.

This study examined the relationship among the recovery grip strength, functional outcomes, and work performance following occupational therapy intervention for hand trauma. This study had a sample size of 15 participants whose recovery grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer, whose satisfaction with outcomes was measured by the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and whose compliance with the home therapy program was measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). A Pearson r correlation demonstrated a significant relationship between recovery grip strength and two MHQ subset scores: overall hand function (r = 0.59, p = 0.019) and activities of daily living (ADL) performance (r = 0.61, p = 0.016). The participants' self-rating of compliance did not predict or influence either recovery grip strength or MHQ scores. A moderate positive correlation approaching significance (r = 0.51, p = 0.052) was found between grip strength and overall MHQ scores. The researchers concluded that a recovery grip strength measure should be used along with functional measures to appropriately assess overall hand function following hand trauma.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

A three-dimensional computerized isometric strength measurement system.

The three-dimensional Computerized Isometric Strength Measurement System (CISMS) reliably and accurately measures isometric pull and push strengths in work spaces of paraplegic populations while anticipating comparative studies with other populations. The main elements of the system were: an extendable arm, a vertical supporting track, a rotating platform, a force transducer, stability sensors and a computerized data collection interface. The CISMS with minor modification was successfully used to measure isometric push-up and pull-down strengths of paraplegics and isometric push, pull, push-up and pull-down strength in work spaces for seated and standing able-bodied populations. The instrument has satisfied criteria of versatility, safety and comfort, ease of operation, and durability. Results are accurate within 2N for aligned forces. Costing approximately $1,500 (US) including computer, the system is affordable and accurate for aligned isometric strength measurements.

Arm↗
PubMed2000

Examination of force-production properties during static explosive grip based on force-time curve parameters.

The present study attempts to clarify the properties of force-time curves in the force-development phase during static explosive grip exertion and to determine force-time parameters in relation to static explosive strength. 80 healthy young males (age 17.8 +/- 2.5 yr.) exerted maximal isometric force as fast and forcefully as possible. In total, 21 variables, e.g., time to fixed level, integrated area, average force, integrated area to fixed time, force at the maximal rate of force development, and maximal rate of force development, were selected as force-time parameters. Good reliability was obtained for average force in force levels above 90% of maximal strength (.64-.93), integrated area to a fixed time of 1.0-2.0 sec. (.86-.93), force at the maximal rate of force development (.67), and maximal rate of force development (.73). In addition, these values correlated closely with maximal grip strength (r= .65-.93). Further, significant differences in maximal grip strength, average force in force levels above 90% of maximal strength, integrated area to fixed time, and force at the maximal rate of force development were found among three groups categorized by average force in force levels of maximal strength. These results suggested that individual differences were present in the force-time curve patterns during the force-development phase of static explosive grip exertion and that the average force in force levels of maximal strength might be a valuable tool for evaluating static explosive strength.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Internal desynchronization of circadian rhythms and tolerance of shift work.

Fifteen male subjects including 12 shift workers (oil refinery operators) volunteered to document circadian rhythms in sleep-wake, grip strength of both hands, peak expiratory flow, heart rate, self-rated drowsiness, fatigue and attention. Each of these variables was measured 4 to 6 times/day for 2 to 3 weeks. In addition, both axillary temperature (with a shielded probe) and wrist activity were almost continuously recorded at 15 min intervals during the same time span. Individual time series were analyzed according to several statistical methods (power spectrum, cosinor, chi 2, etc.), in order to estimate the prominent circadian period tau and to evaluate both individual and subgroup differences with regard to tolerance of shift work, age, duration of shift work. The present study confirms for continuously recorded temperature and wrist activity, grip strength of both hands, heart rate and peak expiratory flow that intolerance of shift work is frequently associated with an internal desynchronization. However, this conclusion cannot be extended to circadian rhythms in self-rated drowsiness, fatigue and attention. The internal desynchronization among several circadian rhythms supports the hypothesis that these latter are driven by several oscillators, with presumable differences between right and left hemispheres as suggested by unequal values of tau in rhythms of both hand grip strength. Since an internal desynchronization can be observed in tolerant shift workers having no complaint, it is likely that symptoms of intolerance are related to the subject's sensitivity to internal desynchronization rather than to the desynchronization itself.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[A adaptive proximal scaphoid implant].

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the insertion of a pyrocarbon implant (APSI) has been described, which is shaped to allow adaptive mobility during carpal movement in the first row of carpals. This implant replaces the proximal part of the scaphoid; it is designed to treat styloscaphoid arthritis, and to prevent further deterioration and carpal collapse by restoring the first carpal row to its original height, i.e., 'SNAC wrist' after scaphoid pseudoarthritis, and 'SLAC wrist' following scapho-lunate dissociation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective series included 25 cases which were examined and analyzed at an average of six years post-surgery (between three and ten years) by an independent observer using the EVAL expert database system: 1) 14 cases involved pseudoarthritis, which developed from the scaphoid ('SNAC wrist'); 2) ten cases were connected with scapho-lunate nonunion ('SLAC wrist'); 3) one case involved carpal collapse with siliconite, which had previously been inserted as a scaphoid silicone partial implant for the treatment of pseudoarthritis involving a stage II fracture. RESULT: In all cases, the reason for the preoperative-consultation for degenerative arthritis was the presence of pain, which post-surgery was no longer apparent in 60% of cases, and only persisted during effort in 28% of cases. Thus 88% of the patients were satisfied with the results, and were able to resume their normal professional and sports activities at the same level as before. Strength connected with digitopalmar grip and pinch force were found to have increased compared to the function in the healthy hand. No implant dislocation was detected by radiological investigation. Dynamic X-rays of the implant in flexion, extension, and frontal inclination confirmed this adaptive mobility. Carpal height was in all cases maintained. The radio-lunate angle remained unchanged in 15 cases, was improved in six cases, and was worse in four cases. Two poor results were connected with severe ligament lesions prior to surgery. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results regarding the APSI implant seem to be promising for cases of polar pseudoarthritis in which curative treatment is no longer possible. This technique avoids further deterioration and carpal collapse ('SNAC wrist'). However, in cases of scapho-lunate nonunion ('SLAC wrist') where ligament lesions are severe, this method does not resolve the problem of ligament destabilization, which requires further treatment.

Adult↗