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Assessment of Hand Functions

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Hand Function

Abstract

The accurate assessment of hand function is very important for establishing strategies to maximize functional potential and evaluating treatment and progress of disease. The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps and International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health are two accepted models to make description of the relationship between pathology and functional consequences of diseases. The pinch grip, full hand grip (grasp), nonprehension hand function, and bilateral prehension are four main items to classify and assess the grip. Daily activities are generally the combinations of these different types of grips. There are three main pinch functions of hand such as tip pinch, tri-digit (Chuck) pinch, and lateral (key) pinch. The dexterity (finger and manual) is a very important functional property of the hand. Speed and precision are the criteria used to measure this skill, and the tests require high-level hand–eye coordination as well as fine motor control of the hand. Impairment, disability, and handicap are complementary aspects of function, and we have to assess all three domains separately to have a complete information about hand function in patients with hand involvement. Grasp and pinch strengths can be measured with a dynamometer. There are several scales to assess the hand function. The Duruöz Hand Index; Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire; Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Index; and Arthritis Hand Function Test are some of the most widely used scales in clinical practices. The primary concern of hand functional disability questionnaires is the patient’s perception of ability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Rheumatology Clinic, Marmara University Medical School, Fevziçakmak Mah., Mimar Sinan Caddesi, No: 41, Ust Kaynarca - Pendik, Istanbul, 34899, Turkey

    Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz M.D.

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  1. Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz M.D.
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Correspondence to Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz

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Duruöz, M.T. (2014). Assessment of Hand Functions. In: Duruöz, M. (eds) Hand Function. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9449-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9449-2_3

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