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Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Growth diagrams for individual finger strength in children measured with the RIHM
H M Molenaar1, Ruud W Selles, Sten P Willemsen
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Room Ee 1591, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. H.Molenaar@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
New growth diagrams for individual finger and thumb strength in children aged 4-12 were developed. These charts aid in assessing hand function and tracking progress in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Hand strength assessment
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- Grip and pinch strength offer global hand function insights.
- Individual finger and thumb strength measurements provide more detailed hand strength data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop normative growth diagrams for individual finger and thumb strength in children.
- To establish reference data for assessing pediatric hand function.
Main Methods:
- 101 children (4-12 years) had thumb (palmar abduction, opposition, metacarpophalangeal flexion) and finger (index, little abduction) strength measured using a myometer.
- Statistical models were used to create growth diagrams, with separate models initially developed for dominant/nondominant hands and genders.
- Hand dominance, gender, height, and weight were recorded, and measurements were randomized.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in strength were found between genders or dominant/nondominant hands.
- Combined data from both hands and genders were used to create unified growth diagrams.
- Normative data are presented in both tabular format and visual growth diagrams for each strength measurement.
Conclusions:
- The developed growth diagrams serve as valuable tools for pediatric patients with conditions affecting hand function, such as congenital malformations or neuromuscular disorders.
- These diagrams help differentiate the impact of natural growth from therapeutic interventions on strength development in children.
- Facilitates objective monitoring of hand, finger, and thumb function in pediatric care settings.
Background:
Although grip and pinch strength provide a more global measure of a large number of digits and muscles, measuring strength of individual fingers or the thumb can provide additional and more detailed information regarding hand strength.
Questions/Purposes:
We developed growth diagrams for individual finger strength in children.
Patients And Methods:
We measured thumb palmar abduction, thumb opposition, and thumb flexion in the metacarpophalangeal joint, and abduction of the index and little fingers in 101 children (4-12 years old) using a myometer. We recorded hand dominance, gender, height, and weight. All measurements were performed in a randomized order by the same researcher. We developed statistical models for drawing growth diagrams using estimated percentiles for each strength measurement. Separate models for dominant and nondominant hands of boys and girls were developed, in addition to a combined model.
Results:
Because there was no difference in strength between boys and girls and between dominant and nondominant hands, both hands and genders were combined in one growth diagram for each measurement. The normative data were presented in a table format and in growth diagrams for each myometer measurement.
Conclusions:
These diagrams can be used for pediatric patients such as patients with congenital malformations or neuromuscular disorders who receive interventions or therapy aimed at function of the hand, fingers, or thumb. The growth diagrams facilitate distinguishing between the effects of growth and intervention on strength development.
