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Factors associated with work performance following hand injury: the role of hand function
A Z Che Daud1,2, N A Mohd Nayan1, M Alrashdi3
1Centre for Occupational Therapy Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Malaysia.
Background:
Hand injuries are common in physically demanding occupations and often lead to prolonged work disability. Identifying functional factors associated with work performance is essential for optimizing rehabilitation and return-to-work outcomes.
Aims:
To determine which hand function variables, including pain, grip strength, pinch strength and fine motor dexterity, relate to self-perceived work performance among workers recovering from hand injuries.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 115 adult workers with hand injuries recruited from public hospitals in Malaysia. Pain was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), grip and pinch strength with a Jamar dynamometer and pinch gauge, dexterity with the Purdue Pegboard Test, and work performance with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) work module. Multiple linear regression identified hand function factors associated with work performance.
Results:
Participants reported moderate pain (mean = 5.32 ± 2.29) and reduced work performance (mean = 45.87 ± 28.12). Grip strength of the injured hand was significantly associated with work performance (β = -0.32, P < 0.001). A model including grip strength and pain explained 15% of the variance in work performance (P < 0.001), with stronger grip and lower pain associated with better outcomes.
Conclusions:
Grip strength and pain are significant factors associated with perceived work performance following hand injury. Rehabilitation programmes should prioritize grip strength monitoring and pain management to enhance work readiness and support successful return-to-work outcomes.
