Effects of Compression Materials on Hand Dexterity in the 40's Healthy Subjects: A Preliminary Study

  • Rhee, Hyeon-Sook (Department of occupational therapy, Shinsung University) ;
  • Yu, Jae-Ho (Department of Physical therapy, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Sung-Joong (Department of Physical therapy, Kangwon National University)
  • Received : 2011.10.24
  • Accepted : 2011.11.29
  • Published : 2011.12.26

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this preliminary study was to use hand function tests to Hand dexterity levels provided by the type of compression garment and compression bandages in asymptomatic subjects and to collect baseline data for the comparison of hand functions in the patients with chronic arm lymphedema. Methods: The subjects of this study were 32 healthy volunteer female with a mean age of 45.8 years. Grip strength and hand functions were tested in three conditions-no compression, compression garment, and compression bandages-using the nine-hole peg test (NHPT), the box and block test (B&BT), Minnesota Manual Dexterity test (MMDT), and the hand-held Jamar dynamometer. Results: The grip strength was significantly low in the bandage condition (p<0.05). The performance in both compression groups (i.e., bandage and compression garment) decreased as the thickness of the compression material increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that grip strength and hand function scores are influenced by the characteristics of the compression applied. Future study is needed to determine the level of hand function between patients with chronic arm lymphedema and healthy individuals.

Keywords

References

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