title: The effect of finger joint hypomobility on precision grip force.
abstract: METHODS
  Repeated measures experiment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Traumatic injuries and certain other diseases of the hand typically affect mobility of the finger joints. Decreased mobility may alter grip force control while one is grasping and lifting objects. However, the effect of finger joint hypomobility on grip force control has not yet been systematically investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of limited finger joint mobility, without other associated symptoms like pain, or sensory/proprioceptive deficits, on precision grip force control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen healthy subjects performed a pinching and lifting task of an object equipped with a force sensor and an accelerometer, via opposition of the thumb and index finger, in the following experimental conditions: unrestricted finger joint movement (UJM), restricted finger flexion (RFF), restricted finger extension (RFE), mock restricted flexion (MRF), mock restricted extension (MRE). The following pinch force variables were measured and analyzed: grip force at lift off, grip force peak, load force peak, latency, and static force.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in latency (F = 4.41, p < 0.01) was noted during RFE relative to UJM and MRF conditions. There were no statistically-significant differences between the conditions among the other variables of precision grip force control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited joint mobility of the thumb and index finger may cause temporal changes in precision grip force control, which can lead to reduced manual dexterity. Restoring range of motion might be an important priority to improve thumb-index pinch force control during manipulative tasks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Center of Health Sciences and Sport, Santa Catarina State University, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cesar de Souza
authors.initials: Cde S
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Marcelo Anderson
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bracht
authors.forename: Marcio José dos
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052581:Pinch Strength / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Latency; Lifting; Limited motion; Prehension; Restriction