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Pinch strength norms for 5-to 12-year-olds
L R Surrey1, J Hodson, E Robinson
1Department of Psychology, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227-3697, USA.
Insights
This study establishes crucial pinch strength norms for children aged 5-12. These developmental standards aid in evaluating functional performance and planning interventions for pediatric hand strength.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Hand function assessment
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Functional performance evaluations for children rely on normative data.
- Limited developmental norms exist for pediatric pinch strength.
- Accurate assessment requires established reference standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for pinch strength in children aged 5-12 years.
- To provide reliable standards for clinical use in evaluating pediatric hand function.
- To address the gap in literature regarding developmental pinch strength norms.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 414 children (aged 5-12) participated.
- Three pinch strength measures were assessed: pad-to-pad, three-jaw chuck, and lateral pinch.
- The B & L Engineering pinch gauge was used with American Society of Hand Therapists' recommended positioning.
Main Results:
- Normative data were established for each of the three pinch strength measures.
- Data were categorized by age groups within the 5-to 12-year range.
- This provides a benchmark for comparing individual child performance.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully generated normative data for pediatric pinch strength.
- These standards are valuable for clinicians assessing and intervening with children.
- The findings contribute essential data to the field of pediatric hand therapy.
Abstract:
Functional performance evaluations and intervention planning for children and youth is informed by comparisons of their performance to normative standards. The literature contains little data regarding the developmental norms for children on pinch strength. A random sample of 414 children was assessed on three separate measures of pinch strength. Pad-to-pad, three-jaw chuck, and lateral pinch were evaluated using the B & L Engineering pinch gauge while utilizing the standard positioning recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists. The results were divided into distinct categories for 5-to 12-year-olds. The resulting normative data provide standards for pinch strength in children to be used in the clinical setting.
