Correlation between Pinch and Grip Strengths with Dexterity in Adult Hemiplegic Patients

Physical disabilities are the most common side effects of Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) in adults. Hemiplegics individuals experience a wide range of functional disabilities including upper limb disabilities. Therefore, rehabilitation treatments are quit important in this regard. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between pinch and grip strengths with dexterity in adult hemiplegia.

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 34 adult hemiplegic patients. All procedures were approved by ethical committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and written consents were also taken. Patients were familiarized with the procedure, pinch and grip strengths were measured by dynamometer according to the amount of kilograms and dexterity has evaluated by Minnesota manual dexterity test based on the number of seconds. Finally, the relationship of these factors was studied.

Age range of patients in this study was 50-70 years (mean= 62.4±7.2 years). The average elapsed time from stroke was 22.3±10.4 months and all of the patients were right dominancy. There was a significant relationship between dexterity with grip strength (p=0.000) and pinch strength (p=0.008) in patients. However, no significant relationship was observed between age of patient and the elapsed time from stroke.

Pinch and grip strengths have a significant relationship with dexterity in hemiplegic patients. Hence, any disturbance in dexterity could affect on the function and activity of daily living in this group of patients.