Exploratory analysis using machine learning algorithms to predict pinch strength by anthropometric and socio-demographic features

Abstract

Objectives. This study examines the role of different machine learning (ML) algorithms to determine which socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions can be used to accurately predict hand function. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 7119 healthy Iranian participants (3525 males and 3594 females) aged 10–89 years. Seventeen hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were measured by JEGS digital caliper and a measuring tape. Tip-to-tip, key and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured using a calibrated pinch gauge. Subsequently, 21 features pertinent to socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were used for classification. Furthermore, 12 well-known classifiers were implemented and evaluated to predict pinches. Results. Among the 21 features considered in this study, hand length, stature, age, thumb length and index finger length were found to be the most relevant and effective components for each of the three pinch predictions. The k-nearest neighbor, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and random forest classifiers achieved the highest classification accuracy of 96.75, 86.49 and 84.66% to predict three pinches, respectively. Conclusions. Predicting pinch strength and determining the predictive hand–forearm anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics using ML may pave the way to designing an enhanced tool handle and reduce common musculoskeletal disorders of the hand.

KEYWORDS:

• machine learning
• hand
• anthropometry
• pinch strength

Acknowledgements

Iran University of Medical Sciences had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. The authors would like to express special thanks to all the experts and subjects for giving up their time for this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the Iran University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID: IR.IUMS.REC 1402-024). All methods in this study were carried out in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations in the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki, and all data in this study were obtained with informed consent from all participating patients and/or their legal guardian(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran [Grant No. 1401-4-2-24713].