Hand Movement Functionality in Institutionalised and Non-institutionalised Children

Background

The human hand exhibits remarkable versatility and utility, in its interactions with the surrounding environment. Inadequate hand strength and fine motor skills may lead to functional limitations. Limited information on hand strength and fine skill performance in institutionalised children motivated this study. We investigated hand function (hand-grip-pinch strength and dexterity in 50 institutionalised children (IG) (38 males, 12 females; mean age 11.28 ± 0.64 years) and compared them with 50 non-institutionalized children (CG) (40 males, 10 females; mean age 11.04 ± 0.72 years) being raised in their families.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, all the one-hundred subjects, age 10-12 years, have completed hand grip test and three types of pinch tests (lateral, 3-point and 2-point) for strength and Purdue peg board task for fine manual dexterity. Grip and pinch strength were measured using Jamar dynamometer and Jamar pinch gauge respectively. In the Purdue Pegboard task, participants placed pins using the dominant, non-dominant, and both-hands respectively. Additionally, participants-built assemblies using pins, washers, and collars with alternating hand movements. The student's independent t-test was used to analyse the differences.

Result

All the measures of grip strength, pinch strength and dexterity of IG were significantly inferior bilaterally to CG. The IG presented weaker hand-grip (p < 0.001) and pinch strengths (p < 0.05) and slower in dexterity skill performance (p < 0.05) than CG.

Conclusion

The institutionalized individuals showed weaker hand movement functionality than non-institutionalised individuals. Child Care Institutions must incorporate stimulating play environments as a health promotive measure for optimal development of these children.