engleski

New dynamometric parameters in evaluation of hand function in rheumatoid arthritis based on dynamic measurements – a pilot evaluation study

Objective. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflammation and damage lead to functional impairment. The hand is a typical site of the involvement, and therefore lower grip strength is often found in these patients. Better detailing of evaluation parameters such as the velocity and stability of hand grip in relation to present static measurements of grip force might be helpful for rehabilitation evaluation of the hand. The aim of this paper was to produce an analysis and interpretation method for measured data using a specially designed electrodynamometer that gives an objective and a more detailed evaluation of the functional state of the hand. Design and Method. An expert electronic measuring system for obtaining dynamic time series of the hand grip force was developed. We tested it in the sample of 24 participants, 12 patients with RA and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The main dynamometric parameters obtained were: maximal grip force, fatigue, grip velocity, functional potential. These were measured at the baseline and at 60, 120 and 180 days. Results. Compared to the control group, the patients with RA had significantly lower maximal grip force (68.2 vs. 97.3), sooner occurrence of fatigue (22.4 vs. 24.9), lower grip velocity (14.8 vs. 22.2) and functional potential (808.2 vs. 1876.3) at the baseline. The significant improvement in all measured variables was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions. In our pilot-study we tested a new- developed electrodynamometer measuring system and found that it can demonstrate hand condition objectively and in details. This system has a potential to be used as a relevant indicator of hand function in patients with RA and to help tailor their rehabilitation.

dynamometer ; rehabilitation ; grip force

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