Article

Traumatic injuries and
certain other diseases of the hand typically affect mobility of the finger
joints. Decreased mobility may alter grip force control while one is grasping and
lifting objects. However, the effect of finger joint hypomobility on grip force
control has not yet been systematically investigated.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of limited finger joint
mobility, without other associated symptoms like pain, or sensory/proprioceptive
deficits, on precision grip force control. METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects
performed a pinching and lifting task of an object equipped with a force sensor
and an accelerometer, via opposition of the thumb and index finger, in the
following experimental conditions: unrestricted finger joint movement (UJM),
restricted finger flexion (RFF), restricted finger extension (RFE), mock
restricted flexion (MRF), mock restricted extension (MRE). The following pinch
force variables were measured and analyzed: grip force at lift off, grip force
peak, load force peak, latency, and static force. RESULTS: A significant increase
in latency (F = 4.41, p < 0.01) was noted during RFE relative to UJM and MRF
conditions. There were no statistically-significant differences between the
conditions among the other variables of precision grip force control.
CONCLUSIONS: Limited joint mobility of the thumb and index finger may cause
temporal changes in precision grip force control, which can lead to reduced
manual dexterity. Restoring range of motion might be an important priority to
improve thumb-index pinch force control during manipulative tasks.
CI - Published by Elsevier Inc.

Langue : ANGLAIS