Palmar Arch of the Hand During Feeding Tasks

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate hand shape modulation during feeding task. The research of dynamic palmar arch can help understand of hand function and determine the therapeutic plan. Also, it will be useful that therapists assess therapeutic effectiveness of persons with loss of hand dexterity following pathology. Methods/Statistical analysis: Thirty two healthy college students were selected and the experiment tasks were designed to hand posture related to eating, such as spooning, forking, chopsticks, and three types grasping the mug cup. Three-dimensional palmar arch was measured with the Zebris CMS20 ultrasound-based motion analysis system. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to confirm the effect of feeding task to thenar arch, hypothenar arch and palmar arch. Post-hoc comparisons were used Bonferroni’s correction. Findings: The results of this study showed that the transeverse palmar arch required mean 34.3° of movement for using a spoon, 36.6° for using a fork, and 39.4° for using chopsticks. Significant differences were shown in necessary movements of the thenar arch, the hypothenar arch, and the transeverse palmar arch based on the tableware types. Improvements/Applications: In this study, we measured the changes shown in performing tasks using actual tableware to present more useful data for hand rehabilitation, a data that can be suggested as the significance of this study. Meanwhile, further studies are needed to provide basic data for effective hand treatment by comparing the transeverse palmar arch movements between patients with damaged hands in terms of musculoskeletal or nervous system and normal people.