Camerone E1, Job M1, Dottor A1, Barbiani D2, Testa M1
1Università Degli Studi di Genova, DINOGMI, Genova, Italy, 2Università Degli Studi di Torino, dipartimento di neuroscienze, Torino, Italy
Background: During past years computerized pinch-meters have been developed to assess the hand motor control through a multiparametric measurement. However, a new pinch-meter, Pinch 1.0.0. with high motor sensitivity and performance visual feedback has recently been developed. To our knowledge, no previous pinch-meter has such characteristics.
Purpose: To investigate test-retest reliability of Pinch 1.0.0. in two tasks: maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and sustained contraction (SC) of thumb and index finger.
Methods: Pinch-meter data were collected among 33 university students (18 males, 15 females) in two experimental sessions (test - retest) separated in time by 4-to-6 days. MVC task assesses subjects thumb-index maximum contraction. SC test requires subjects to maintain a certain strength level at their best effort over time. SC is evaluated both in terms of hand stability, assessed by calculating the mean standard deviation from a target line (SD), and resistance, assessed with the total duration of the task (Time). MVC and SC were performed with both hands, order of execution was randomized .
Results: Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistics indicated excellent test-retest reliability of MVC task for both hands, MVC right, ICC = .875 with 95% CI (.763, .936) and MVC left, ICC = .888 with 95% CI (.785, .943). ICC statistics of the SC task indicated fair-to-excellent test-retest reliability (ICC range = .560, .750), where fair reliability concerns the hand stability component (SD) of the assessment and excellent refers to the resistance (time) component of the test. Accordingly, paired-sample t-test found no statistically significant differences between scores at test and retest in either MVC task, (MVC right, p = .933 MVC left, p = 088), or SC task, (Time right, p =.245, Time left, p = .719, SD right, p = . 980, SD left, p = . 827). For both MVC and SC, Bland-Altman's limits of agreement showed reliability of measurements.
Conclusion(s): Overall, analysis conducted on MVC suggests an outstanding test-retest reliability of this task. Analysis of SC showed moderate reliability of this assessment measure. Sustained fatigue is a complex phenomenon modulated by multiple factors, this could explain SC lower reliability. Overall, Pinch 1.0.0, appears to be a reliable instrument to test thumb-index fingers performance.
Implications: Pinch 1.0.0. can be used in future research for multiple purposes, for instance it could be an essential tool to establish normative data on thumb-index performance across healthy subjects as well as musculoskeletal sufferers.
Keywords: Pinch-meter, Hand Rehabilitation, Hand Motor Control
Funding acknowledgements: N/A
Purpose: To investigate test-retest reliability of Pinch 1.0.0. in two tasks: maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and sustained contraction (SC) of thumb and index finger.
Methods: Pinch-meter data were collected among 33 university students (18 males, 15 females) in two experimental sessions (test - retest) separated in time by 4-to-6 days. MVC task assesses subjects thumb-index maximum contraction. SC test requires subjects to maintain a certain strength level at their best effort over time. SC is evaluated both in terms of hand stability, assessed by calculating the mean standard deviation from a target line (SD), and resistance, assessed with the total duration of the task (Time). MVC and SC were performed with both hands, order of execution was randomized .
Results: Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistics indicated excellent test-retest reliability of MVC task for both hands, MVC right, ICC = .875 with 95% CI (.763, .936) and MVC left, ICC = .888 with 95% CI (.785, .943). ICC statistics of the SC task indicated fair-to-excellent test-retest reliability (ICC range = .560, .750), where fair reliability concerns the hand stability component (SD) of the assessment and excellent refers to the resistance (time) component of the test. Accordingly, paired-sample t-test found no statistically significant differences between scores at test and retest in either MVC task, (MVC right, p = .933 MVC left, p = 088), or SC task, (Time right, p =.245, Time left, p = .719, SD right, p = . 980, SD left, p = . 827). For both MVC and SC, Bland-Altman's limits of agreement showed reliability of measurements.
Conclusion(s): Overall, analysis conducted on MVC suggests an outstanding test-retest reliability of this task. Analysis of SC showed moderate reliability of this assessment measure. Sustained fatigue is a complex phenomenon modulated by multiple factors, this could explain SC lower reliability. Overall, Pinch 1.0.0, appears to be a reliable instrument to test thumb-index fingers performance.
Implications: Pinch 1.0.0. can be used in future research for multiple purposes, for instance it could be an essential tool to establish normative data on thumb-index performance across healthy subjects as well as musculoskeletal sufferers.
Keywords: Pinch-meter, Hand Rehabilitation, Hand Motor Control
Funding acknowledgements: N/A
Topic: Outcome measurement; Robotics & technology; Human movement analysis
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: N/A
Ethics committee: N/A
Reason not required: Our work explore the reliability of an innovative device in the clinical practice in healthy volunteers, trying to establish effective new normative data for hand motor evaluation.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
