The Effect of Coldness, Vibration, and Anti-vibration Gloves on Grip Force Strength in Controlled Laboratory Condition

Grip force measurement is one of the key parameters of ergonomics. Effective factors on the grip force sometimes causes cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) in patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of anti-vibration gloves, coldness, and vibration on grip force strength in controlled laboratory condition.
This was a cross-sectional study on 30 workers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. In order to measure the force of grip, the JAMAR dynamometer was used, as advised by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). To achieve a level of grip force, participants were asked to press the dynamometer with all force. The grip force was read from the dynamometer screen grip in kilograms force. To study the combined effect of the above factors on grip strength 18 blend modes were tested.
Findings: There was an inverse relationship between the vibration and grip strength. In addition, at low temperatures, the grip strength reduced. Different anti-vibration gloves had different effects on reducing grip force. Coldness, vibration, and anti-vibration gloves had significant effects on grip strength (P 0.050 for all) with a correlation coefficient of 0.172, -0.363, and -0.602, respectively.
Wearing gloves had greatest impact on reducing grip force and strength. After that, vibration was the second factor in reducing grip force. In addition, reducing the temperature would reduce grip force.