Relationship between finger flexion and extension force in healthy women and women with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Balance between flexor and extensor muscle activity is essential for optimal function. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the relationship between maximum finger flexion force and maximum finger extension force in women with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy women.


METHODS
Twenty healthy women (median age 61 years) and 20 women with rheumatoid arthritis (median age 59.5 years, median disease duration 16.5 years) were included in the study. Finger extension force was measured with an electronic device, EX-it, and finger flexion force using Grippit. The Grip Ability Test and the score from the patient-reported outcome Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand were used to evaluate activity limitations.


RESULTS
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed significantly decreased hand function compared with healthy controls. A correlation was found between extension force and flexion force in the healthy group (r = 0.65, p = 0.002),but not in the rheumatoid arthritis group (r = 0.25, p = 0.289).


CONCLUSIONS
Impaired hand function appears to influence the relationship between maximum finger flexion and extension force. This study showed a difference in the relationship between maximum finger flexion and extension force in healthy controls and those with rheumatoid arthritis.
School of Business and Engineering, Department of Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Health, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. sofia.brorsson@hh.se
Sofia
S
Brorsson
Anna
A
Nilsdotter
Eja
E
Pedersen
Ann
A
Bremander
Carina
C
Thorstensson
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D016387:Women's Health