New method of assessing pinch function in children with anomalies of the hands

Abstract

We designed a method for the evaluation of pinch function in children that uses a tape measure, which is suitable in size and weight for the infant's hand. Our aim was to investigate the value of the tape measure in the evaluation of pinch function in children. Thirty-two hands of 27 children with congenital anomalies that we operated on in our hospital were included. The assessment of pinch function was made using a tape measure. The criteria were evaluated as follows: grasp = 1; push button = 2; pinch the end of the measuring tape = 3; pull out tape by side pinch = 4; and pull out tape by pulp pinch = 5. We assessed the relation between the scoring by tape measure and parents' preoperative assessment. We also examined the relations between the increase in score evaluated by the tape measure method and parents' assessment of postoperative improvement in pinch function. The mean preoperative score by the tape measure assessment of pinch function in the unimpaired group according to the parents' evaluation was significantly higher than that in the impaired group. Preoperative evaluation using the tape measure method correlated with the parents' evaluation. The increase in score in the “remarkably improved” group was significantly higher than that of those in the “no change” and “improved” groups. The tape measure method reflected the parents' evaluation, and could be a useful test for the evaluation of pinch function in children.