The skill components of a therapeutic chopsticks task and their relationship with hand function tests

Chopsticks are the primary tools used for eating and the physical movements of control are familiar to Chinese people. Chopsticks are easy to obtain in most rehabilitative settings. Occupational therapists often guide patients to practice miscellaneous chopsticks tasks to increase hand function in any case. The objective of this study was to investigate the skill components of the therapeutic chopsticks task and their relationship with hand function tests, and to identify clinical value. Eighty normal subjects (41 males and 39 females) whose age ranged from 17 to 26 years old participated in this study. Five standard hand function tests including three dexterity tests [Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test (MRMT), Purdue Pegboard Test, and O'Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test (OTDT)], and two strength tests (Jamar Handgrip Test, and Pinchometer Test) were chosen to measure the dexterity and strength of hands. Additionally, the Test of Chopsticks Manipulation (TCM) was designed and used to assess the chopsticks manipulation skills. Subjects were tested with all the hand function tests and TCM in a random sequence. Results of six tests were obtained for each subject. Factor analysis showed that the skill components of TCM should be categorized into the "dexterity" component. In addition, a significant relationship (p < 0.05) was only seen between TCM and OTDT, there was no significant correlation between TCM and the other hand function tests. Findings in this study are valuable in setting the rehabilitation programs for patients with dexterity problems.