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Results for “Hand Strength”

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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanical performance of exertubing for isotonic hand exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical performance of hollow latex rubber tubes used for hand rehabilitation. The results of this investigation provide load extension profiles of each tube that document the forces required to elongate the tube to a specific length. By relating these mechanical performance tests to quantitative measures of hand strength, an individualized exercise prescription can be designed for rehabilitation of the injured hand.

Burns↗

PubMed1993

Grip strength: relationship to shoulder position in normal subjects.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of shoulder position on grip strength. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure the grip strength of 160 subjects (80 males and 80 females), stratified on both sex and age, in the four testing positions. For each of the tests of grip strength, the subject stood with the shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated while the forearm and wrist were held in the neutral position. The four hand strength tests consisted of three positions in which the elbow was maintained in full extension combined with varying degrees of shoulder flexion (i.e., 0 degree, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees) and of one position in which the elbow was flexed at 90 degrees with the shoulder in 0 degree of flexion. Only the dominant hand was tested. The results showed that the highest mean grip strength measurement was recorded when the shoulder was positioned at 180 degrees of flexion with elbow in full extension; whereas the position of 90 degrees elbow flexion with shoulder in 0 degree of flexion had the lowest grip strength score. In addition, the grip strength measured with the elbow in extension, regardless of shoulder position (i.e., 0 degree, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees of flexion), was significantly higher than when the elbow was flexed at 90 degrees with the shoulder positioned at 0 degree of flexion. Finally, grip strength differed significantly for both sexes and for each age group. The findings are valuable in the evaluation and rehabilitation training of hand injured patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Construct validation of an acute care occupational therapy cerebral vascular accident assessment tool.

This study was the last in a series of six investigations of the construct validity of the St. Marys CVA evaluation, a clinician constructed test composed of items designed to evaluate sensory, perceptual, motor, and self care performance in cerebral vascular accident patients. Data for the present study were obtained from 250 new patients referred for occupational therapy services from 1983 to 1988. Factor analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation was performed on 22 items of the evaluation including perception, recovery stages, measures of grasp and pinch strength and other functional variables. Three factors emerged - Right Function, Recovery Stage, and Left Hand Strength. The results of the study, combined with results of previous research, indicate that this CVA Evaluation has reasonable construct validity as an occupational therapy assessment tool in an acute care setting.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Tongue strength and endurance: relation to highly skilled movements.

Tongue strength and endurance (fatigue) were examined in subjects who have acquired high skill levels with their tongues (supranormal) and in subjects who use the tongue normally. The supranormal groups were trumpet players and high school debaters who were able to speak intelligibly at rates much faster than normal. Hand strength and fatigue were also assessed. Maximal strength was measured by recording how much pressure an individual could exert on an air-filled bulb. Endurance was measured by determining how long subjects could sustain 50% of their maximal pressure. Results showed that maximal strength of the tongue and hand did not differentiate the supranormal subjects from the normal subjects. Hand endurance did not differentiate the subjects either. However, the supranormal groups had significantly longer tongue endurance times than did the normal subjects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hand and forearm strength and its relation to tennis.

Eight expert tennis players and 12 nontennis playing controls were studied to determine the relationship between dominant and minor extremities in regard to hand and forearm isometric strength. The results revealed that overall strength, including wrist extension, was significantly greater (P 0.01) in the dominant arm in both groups. The tennis players were distinguished from the controls by significantly increased strength of metacarpophalangeal joint extension of the fingers on the dominant side. Examination of a group of 16 "tennis elbow" sufferers demonstrated no significant extensor strength differential in the dominant arm, with no reports of pain during the testing procedure. The increased strength of hand extension in elite tennis players may be significant in explaining the observed rarity of "tennis elbow" in these individuals.

Forearm↗

PubMed1984

Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations.

Twenty-seven college women participated in a study to evaluate the reliability and validity of four tests of hand strength: grip, palmar pinch, key pinch, and tip pinch. Standardized positioning and instructions were followed. The results showed very high inter-rater reliability. Test-retest reliability was highest in all tests when the mean of three trials was used. Lower correlations were shown when one trial or the highest score of three trials were utilized. The Jamar dynamometer by Asimow Engineering and the pinch gauge by B&L Engineering demonstrated the highest accuracy of the instruments tested.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Effect of yoga training on handgrip, respiratory pressures and pulmonary function.

Although there are a number of reports on the effect of yoga training on pulmonary functions, very few studies have been undertaken on the effect of yoga training on respiratory pressures and handgrip endurance. Hence the present work was planned to study the effect of yoga training on hand grip strength (HGS), hand grip endurance (HGE), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). 20 school children in the age group of 12 to 15 years were given yoga training (asans and pranayams) for 6 months. 20 age and gender-matched students formed the control group. Yoga training produced statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in HGS and HGE. MEP, MIP, FEV, FEV1 and PEFR also increased significantly (P < 0.001) after the yoga training. In contrast, the increase in these parameters in the control group was statistically insignificant. Our study shows that yoga training for 6 months improves lung function, strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscles as well as skeletal muscle strength and endurance. It is suggested that yoga be introduced at school level in order to improve physiological functions, overall health and performance of students.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Asymmetry correction equations for hand volume, grip and pinch strengths in healthy working people.

Assessments of oedema and decrease in hand strength are useful for patients with a hand lesion. This study examined the asymmetry of the arms and determined the estimates of the unknown prior to lesion values for hand volume, grip strengths assessed with a Jamar dynamometer (GS[J]) and a Collins dynamometer (GS[C]), and pinch strength with a Jamar pinch gauge (PS) in 100 healthy working people. Hand volume, GS(J), GS(C) and PS of the dominant hand were respectively 3.6 +/- 4.1%, 6.6 +/- 9.2%, 11.7 +/- 11.2%, and 8.0 +/- 13.2% higher than those of the non-dominant hand (p < 0.001). Very good estimates were obtained with the values of the contralateral arm for all the indices studied. The correlation coefficient equalled 0.95 for hand volume, 0.91 for GS(J), 0.83 for GS(C), and 0.72 for PS. These estimates allow us to evaluate the evolution of oedema and hand strengths in patients with hand injury, especially to determine whether they could return to work as they are mostly manual workers with demanding jobs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Radial artery harvest technique, use and functional outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple harvest technique for radial artery (RA). To investigate the morbidity and functional outcome of RA harvest. METHODS: The neurovascular fascia surrounding the RA is divided. Only loose areolar tissue surrounds this artery making harvest of RA simple and allowing minimal trauma to the RA and surrounding muscles. Topical and intraluminal vasodilators but no systemic vasodilators are used. RESULTS: RA harvest commenced in December 1994. Between 1996 and 30 June 1998, 2167 RA were harvested and used to construct 3105 coronary anastomoses. A dramatic rise in RA use occurred during 1996. More than 80% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) have RA harvested since this time. Total arterial revascularization rate also rose dramatically and is currently 80% of all CABG. This rate has been assisted by a rapid rise in the use of composite arterial grafting where aortic anastomoses can be avoided and currently represents 40% of all CABG. Hand strength was tested in 328 non-selected patients and was not reduced by RA harvest when hand dominance was taken into account. Objective sensation loss was present in 0.3% for the superficial radial nerve and 2.1% for the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. Pulse oximetry observations detected statistically significant but clinically irrelevant differences. Scar hypersensitivity occurred in 20%. Only two patients of all patients undergoing RA harvest reported late hand ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Harvest of the RA within the neurovascular plane is simple and associated with low morbidity.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Detailed clinical assessment of neurological function in symptomatic shipyard workers.

Forty eight patients with extensive occupational exposure to pneumatic grinding tools were evaluated at a university sponsored occupational health clinic. All patients were interviewed and examined by a physician and assessed neurologically with standard clinical, functional motor, quantitative vibrotactile, and electrodiagnostic tests. Sensorineural symptoms were nearly universal; 47 patients (98%) reported numbness and tingling of the hands and fingers. Among clinical tests, two point discrimination and 30 Hz vibration perception were most frequently abnormal. In order to evaluate associations between quantitative test results and sensorineural symptoms, patients were stratified into two groups of symptom severity according to a consensus sensorineural staging system. The tests that discriminated best between the groups of more and less symptomatic patients were hand strength dynamometry, and vibrotactile thresholds. Age standardised 120 Hz vibrotactile thresholds were significantly raised in digit II in 41% of hand measurements. Nerve conduction studies were neither significantly different between more and less symptomatic groups nor correlated with clinical and quantitative sensory tests. Twenty five per cent of the patients had slowing of sensory conduction velocities in the median nerve at the wrist (less than 48 m/s). Of this subset of patients only two showed abnormal slowing of the median nerve distal to the wrist, but half also showed ulnar nerve slowing (less than 47 m/s). This observation highlights the difficulty of differentiating median nerve entrapment from diffuse distal neuropathy in workers exposed to vibration and points to the need for concomitant quantitative sensory and functional motor assessment.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Pinch and grasp strength: standardization of terminology and protocol.

We implemented a tridirectional survey to begin the standardization process for grasp and pinch terminology and protocols for testing and to improve the communication between rehabilitation professionals who assess hand strength. We surveyed the literature, occupational therapy clinics across the country, and occupational therapy educational programs. Our results reveal the current use, teachings, and recommendations of pinch and grasp strength measurement. The results confirm that the standardization of grasp and pinch terminology and protocols for testing are vitally needed. Specific recommendations to continue this standardization process are recommended.

Hand↗

PubMed1993

[Measurement of motor strength of the hand using the Martin Vigorometer in evaluating the success of physical therapy in arthritis of the thumb].

Motor strength of the fist was examined in 60 women with rhisarthrosis of the thumb before and after physical therapy with parafin compresses and magnetotherapy, as well as ultrasound through the water with VIGORIMETER "MARTIN". By measuring a better effect has been proved by using parafin compresses and magnetotherapy instead of the therapy with the ultrasound through the water.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Hand-grip muscle strength, lean body mass, and plasma proteins as markers of nutritional status in patients with chronic renal failure close to start of dialysis therapy.

We studied 115 patients (69 men, 46 women) with chronic renal failure (CRF) aged younger than 70 years close to the start of dialysis therapy to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and study the relationship between various nutritional parameters in these patients. Nutritional status was classified by means of subjective global assessment. Anthropometric measurements (AMs) were performed, and hand-grip strength (HGS) was measured using the Harpenden dynamometer. Body composition, including lean body mass (LBM), was evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and LBM was also estimated by means of AMs and creatinine kinetics (CK). The mean age of the patients was 52 +/- 12 years, and creatinine clearance was 9 +/- 3 mL/min. Malnutrition was seen in 53 patients (48%). As expected, malnourished patients differed in several aspects from well-nourished patients. LBM (estimated by all methods), fat mass (FM), HGS, creatinine clearance, and transthyretin and vitamin A levels were less in malnourished patients, whereas serum albumin levels did not differ. Estimates of LBM by means of DXA, AMs, and CK correlated well with each other. Although DXA and AMs gave similar mean values, LBM was an average of 8 kg less estimated by means of CK, and Bland-Altman plots showed the best agreement between AMs and DXA. HGS showed a strong correlation to LBM (regardless of method) in both men and women. Serum albumin level was not related to HGS or LBM, whereas significant correlations were found between serum albumin level and albumin losses in urine, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and creatinine clearance. Multiple logistic regression showed that low HGS, low percentage of FM, female sex, and high serum CRP levels were independent factors associated with malnutrition, whereas serum albumin level and percentage of LBM did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, the present study shows a high prevalence of malnutrition in predialysis patients with CRF and suggests that HGS is a reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-perform nutritional parameter in patients with CRF. Conversely, serum albumin level seems to be a poor nutritional marker in patients with advanced CRF.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMed2002

Metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis: what determines satisfaction with surgery?

OBJECTIVE: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is unclear what determines satisfaction with metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint replacement surgery. Previous studies have focused primarily on objective outcomes, such as range of motion (ROM) or strength, although some subjective measures have been examined. We investigate which outcomes most strongly correlate with patient satisfaction. METHODS: We assembled a retrospective cohort of 26 RA patients who received a total of 160 MCP silastic spacer implants. Patients answered a telephone survey, and 18/26 patients were examined. The strength of association between specific outcome variables and patient satisfaction with surgery was measured using Spearman correlations. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 64.8 years and 77% were female. The mean time since surgery was 5.5 years. The strongest determinant of patient satisfaction was postoperative hand appearance (Spearman r > or = 0.60). Pain was also highly correlated with satisfaction with surgery (Spearman r > or = 0.46). Ability to perform activities of daily living and portions of the Jebsen Hand Function Test were moderately correlated with patient satisfaction. Most other measures of hand strength and ROM showed only minimal correlation with patients' overall satisfaction with surgery. CONCLUSION: Overall satisfaction with silastic spacer surgery in this cohort of RA patients was most influenced by postoperative hand appearance and by pain. While objective measures of surgical outcomes are valuable reflections of technical success, they are not important determinants of patient satisfaction. The criteria used to assess MCP arthroplasty results should be revised to better capture the outcomes that appear to matter most to patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

A literature review of "failures" of the Swanson finger prosthesis in the metacarpophalangeal joint.

This paper reviews the use of the Swanson finger prosthesis, concentrating on clinical results from the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and modes of prosthetic "failure". While "failure" is generally associated with fracture, it is recognised that fracture does not always necessitate replacement of the Swanson prosthesis. Fracture tends to occur at the junction of the distal stem and hinge of the prosthesis. Initial improvements in ulnar deviation and range of motion (ROM) tend to be gradually reduced over the duration of implantation, and there is little evidence to suggest any long-term improvement in hand strength. Bone erosion and silicone synovitis have been seen but at a much lesser incidence than in other joints implanted with silicone spacers. An evaluation of retrieved Swanson prostheses, tied in with patient history and hand measurements might provide additional information to improve the design of the Swanson prosthesis itself and of other finger prostheses.

Arthritis↗

PubMed1989

[Proposal for a global medico-legal functional evaluation of disabilities of the hand].

The present evaluations of hand invalidity are based on parameters that can give correct assessment for amputations or for single stiffness, but these parameters are not able to evaluate the majority of lesions. A nerve lesion does not repair at 100% or at 0%; all degrees are possible. The same is true for vascular, tendon and muscular lesions. We studied a new global evaluation on a large number of patients and we compared it with the tables in use today. The assessed parameters are: the active and passive movement, ability of the hand, strength, duration of the effort or of the fatigue, trophism, sensibility, pain, aesthetics.

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMed1990

Lateral bias in infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

This study documents the presence, strength, and direction of lateralization in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over the first 3 months of life. Nursery-reared chimpanzees (7 males and 5 females) were repeatedly assessed on a behavioral scale. Lateral bias was measured for 4 behaviors: hand-to-mouth, hand-to-hand, defensive grasp, and first step. Hand-to-mouth was significantly lateralized for the sample. Eight of the 10 chimpanzees that showed hand-to-mouth used the right hand. Lateral bias for defensive grasp was positively related to lateral bias both of first step and of hand-to-mouth. Lateral bias in hand-to-mouth was inversely related to lateral bias in hand-to-hand. Strength of lateralization increased as chimpanzees matured. These laterality effects in infant chimpanzees were expressed under conditions of emotional arousal. Moreover, degree of laterality may be a predictor of responsivity to stress.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

[Effect of pneumatic compression in connection with ergotherapeutic treatment of Colles' fracture. A clinical controlled trial].

We followed forty women with functional deficits in the wrist and hand after sustaining a Colles' fracture. The women participated in occupational therapy three times a week for three weeks. At the initial evaluation, after three weeks, and at a three month evaluation, we measured the following: range of joint movement, grip strength, hand volume (oedema), pain and ADL. There was significant improvement in most of the parameters measured after three weeks of occupational therapy, with a less significant improvement from three weeks to three months. Seventeen of the forty women received twenty minutes of intermittent pneumatic compression before occupational therapy. These patients showed significant improvement in wrist extension, compared with the control group of twenty-three patients. Occupational therapy is recommended for patients showing a functional deficit after Colles' fracture. Intermittent pneumatic compression is recommended as a supplement to occupational therapy.

Aged↗