Content area
Full Text
Abstract:
Background: Pinch strength is one of the objective measurements of fine motor evaluation used by therapists. Purposes: This study was conducted to assess tripod pinch grip strength of the normal children aged 3- 7 years in forward leaning trunk and with supported erect back in siting position as a clue for efficient pencil grasp dexterity.Methodology: a group of sixty boys and girls in the age bracket from 3-7 years were volunteer in this study . Pinch grip strength was measured for right and left hand .Pinch grip dynamometer was used to measure pinch grip with an average of three trials taken to test the significant difference between the commonly assumed forward trunk posture and the proper back inclined trunk posture. Results: The results showed significant difference between the pinch grip strength between right and left side which go in accordance to dominance. In addition, high significant difference with increase of force in leaning forward and also with the advance of age was reported. Conclusion: dynamometry is an objective useful tool of assessment in school age children. At this age it is recommended to avoid forward trunk posture even with higher force value to achieve less stressful pencil grasp that can be possibly used for longer duration.
Keywords: Anthropometry, grip development, pencil grasp, pinch grip measurements
1. INTRODUCTION
The hand is an essential organ for various activities of daily living. Fine motor skills are primary component that contribute to the performance of daily skills for children and adults. During a typical school day, children spend 30% to 60% of their day in fine motor activities including pencil grasp 7.With the advance in age, a large amount of daily activities is dependent on competences in fine motor skills 16.
The three-point pinch is performed between the pulps of the thumb, index and middle fingers; it is used in about 60% of the ADLs. 9 Pinch strength is one of many objective measurements of fine motor evaluation used by therapists. Baseline measurement can also be used as a comparison to determine the specified program for each child as an individualized effective intervention program. 16,1
Napier 25 divided hand functions into power grip and pinch grip and advised that they are alternatively used during daily life activities...