~
~
~
Correlation of Pinch and Grip Strength with median nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in Women Referred to Electrodiagnostic Center

Human hand is a complex and fine structure whose function and strength can be affected by even a mild injury. Hand dynamometry is one of the most accepted methods for evaluating the integrity of hand function. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a noninvasive procedure to ensure neuromuscular integrity of the hand.

In a cross-sectional study, 39 women with an age ranging from 30 to 60 years who attended the Vahid Electrodiagnostic Center (Isfahan-Iran) during the fall of 2009 were studied. Informed consent was signed by all subjects. All participants were asked to perform grip and all types of pinch grip with a dynamometer. Nerve conduction velocity was conducted for both hands. All data obtained from the dynamometer and NCV were statistically analyzed via Pearson correlation test using SPSS software version16.

There were significant differences between sensory and motor NCV of median nerve for Pinch strength (maximum correlation was noted for Motor NCV with Palmar Pinch1, P < 0.001, r = 0.379) versus Grip strength (maximum correlation was with Motor NCV, P < 0.002, r = 0.342). There were significant differences between Median Severity Scale for different types of Pinch strength (max correlation with Palmar Pinch1, P < 0.001, r = -0.613), different types of Grip strength (P < 0.001, r = -0.563) and NCV (max correlation with Sensory NCV, P < 0.001, r = -0.562)

Dynamometer may be a prognostic tool to determine the amount of median nerve involvement since it measures the strength of thenar musculature. Also Median Severity Scale is a good clinical means to prognosticate median sensory and motor NCV.