Relationship of hand and pinch grip strength among smartphone users

Introduction: Excessive smartphone use commissions the hand and wrist under repetitive stress, leading to pain in the thumb, wrist, and fingers leading to its weakness and fatigue which can have a retarding impact on activities of daily living. With the adoption of a technology-friendly lifestyle, the use of smartphones has increased to threefold particularly among the adolescent population. This can be an associated to a cause of reduced gripping ability among the concerned. Objectives: Compare hand and pinch grip strengths among high- and low-risk adolescent smartphone users. In addition, explore the anthropometric variables and its association with the gripping ability. Materials and methods: Participants were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 160 individuals between 10 and 18 years were selected as subjects. Demographic data and anthropometric measurements were recorded for each participant. Hand measurements (hand length, hand width, palm length and maximum spread of the hand) were obtained using a measuring tape. Hand and pinch grip strength measurements were assessed using a Baseline Hydraulic Handheld Dynamometer and Hydraulic Pinch Gauge respectively. Comparison was performed by grouping the subjects in two categories: high and low users using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS)-Short version. Thumb pain following use of smartphone was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Outcome measures used were Baseline Hydraulic Handheld Dynamometer, Hydraulic Pinch Gauge and VAS. Results: No significant correlation was found between individual grip strength and SAS score. However, an excellent positive correlation was noted between bilateral gripping ability and smartphone use.引言：过度使用智能手机会使手部与腕部承受重复性应力，引发拇指、腕部及手指疼痛，进而导致手部无力与疲劳，对日常生活活动能力产生不利影响。随着科技友好型生活方式的普及，智能手机的使用量增至原来的三倍，在青少年群体中尤为明显，这可能与目标人群抓握能力下降相关。 研究目的：比较高风险与低风险青少年智能手机使用者的手部握力及捏力；此外，探究人体测量学变量（anthropometric variables）及其与抓握能力的关联。 材料与方法：研究对象根据纳入与排除标准招募，最终选取160名10~18岁的个体作为受试者。收集所有受试者的人口统计学资料并进行人体测量：使用卷尺测量手部参数，包括手长、手宽、掌长及手最大伸展间距；分别采用Baseline液压手持握力测力计（Baseline Hydraulic Handheld Dynamometer）与液压捏力计（Hydraulic Pinch Gauge）评估手部握力与捏力。依据智能手机成瘾量表简版（Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short version, SAS）将受试者分为高、低使用组进行对比分析；采用视觉模拟评分法（Visual Analog Scale, VAS）评估智能手机使用后的拇指疼痛程度。本研究的结局测量指标为Baseline液压手持握力测力计、液压捏力计及VAS评分。 结果：个体握力与SAS评分之间未发现显著相关性，但双侧抓握能力与智能手机使用情况之间存在极佳的正相关关系。