Packaging--a problem for patients with hand disorders? A cross-sectional study on the forces applied to packaging tear tabs.
BACKGROUND
Patients with hand disorders frequently experience difficulties opening peelable packaging.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the forces patients can apply to tear tabs and to compare the results with normative data to make recommendations for the industry and clinical practice.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional.


METHODS
One hundred patients with hand disorders were studied. The pinch pull force (PPF) applied to tear tabs of different lengths and materials (aluminum, plastic) was measured with a specially designed device. Key pinch was measured with a pinch gauge. Normative data were taken from another study on 402 healthy adults.


RESULTS
Patients were able to apply most force to the longest aluminum tab, using the key grip, but this was only 53% of the force exerted by healthy people. Key pinch determines PPF (R(2)=0.548, p≤0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Manufacturers should provide long aluminum tear tabs. Health professionals are encouraged to measure key pinch to detect difficulties in opening packages.


METHODS
Level IV.
Department of Research and Development, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland. Miriam.Marks@kws.ch
Miriam
M
Marks
Carina
C
Muoth
Jörg
J
Goldhahn
Andrea
A
Liebmann
Ina
I
Schreib
Stephan F
SF
Schindele
Beat R
BR
Simmen
Thea P M
TP
Vliet Vlieland
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019064:Product Packaging; D055815:Young Adult