Grip strength of occupational workers in relation to carpal tunnel syndrome and individual factors

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the association of grip strength with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for occupational workers exposed to the risk of CTS. Experiments were performed on 60 workers, 15 each from four occupations. Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. Electrophysiological experiments were conducted to measure CTS. Three levels of CTS were identified on the basis of latency value and motor nerve conduction velocity, viz., mild, moderate and severe. Statistical results suggest that workers who have CTS lose their grip strength, and higher levels of CTS lead to greater reduction in the grip strength. Another objective of the article was to investigate the association of grip strength with three individual factors of occupational workers, viz., body mass index, age and work experience. It is statistically inferred using Fisher's exact test that grip strength is not associated with any of these individual factors.

Keywords:

• grip strength
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• motor nerve conduction velocity
• occupational workers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors .

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University Grants Commission, New Delhi [grant number F. No. 3-38/2012 (SAP-II)].