Relationship between hand function and grip force control in women with hand osteoarthritis

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) usually results in decreased strength and function of the hand and deficits in motor control. However, no data exists on the relationship among these symptomatological features of hand OA. Ten females with hand OA and ten matched, nondisabled control subjects participated in this study. The outcomes of the Moberg Pickup Test (MPUT) and other functional hand tests were correlated with the measures of grip force control obtained during the performance of a functional task of lifting and transporting a handheld object. Strong correlations existed between the MPUT and parameters of grip force control, such as latency (r = 0.85) and force at the moment of lift-off (r = 0.72), seen in these patients. The established strong correlation between the MPUT and parameters of grip force control might help researchers and clinicians better understand how deficits in controlling grip forces affect hand function in patients with hand OA.