Precision Grip a Tool for Assessing Hand Function

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The hand is an exquisite sensorimotor organ used not only to grasp objects but also to explore the external world. This sophisticated biological instrument forms an indispensable part of our daily routine especially for tactile perception and control of grasp. Hand function is described as the ability to use the hand in day-today activities based on its anatomical coherence, sensation, strength, organization and dexterity and is essential for the success of the primates and humans in particular. The quality of performance in daily living skills and work related functions are largely determined by hand function. The versatility of hand function is mainly contributed by the evolutionary specialization of opposable thumb as seen in primates and humans. AIM OF THE STUDY: The primary aim of the study is to characterize precision grip as a quantitative tool in the assessment of hand function in healthy controls and in patients with known clinical diagnosis of PD, FHD and CSM. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the effect of age, object weight and friction on precision grip task for object weights below 2N in healthy controls under dry and very wet skin conditions. 2. To identify precision grip parameters that vary between young, middle and older age healthy adults for object weights below 2N under dry and very wet skin conditions. METERIAL AND METHODS: Details of the subject recruitment and study design are divided under two broad headings: Study design 1: Precision grip task in healthy controls. Study design 2: Comparison of precision grip task between healthy controls and patient groups. CONCLUSION: Though several studies on precision grip have been reported previously, the question of how to apply this task in a clinical setting to monitor treatment and rehabilitation was not focussed. Undoubtedly, our study provides evidence for the first time where the possibility of quantitative measures of force, rate and time in a precision grip task has been used to characterize and screen patients from healthy controls.