Does the educational level of women influence hand grip and pinch strength in carpal tunnel syndrome?

Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés, Carlos Cruz-Montecinos, Marcela Andrea Antúnez-Riveros, Sofía Pérez-Alenda

Journal: Medical hypotheses 2021;135():109474

PMID: 31756589

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Grip and pinch strength are relevant functional variables for various activities of daily life and are related to the quality of life of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

OBJECTIVE

The main aim was to analyze the relationship between grip and pinch strength and the educational level in women with CTS.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Thirty-one female patients with CTS awaiting surgery were assigned to the low education group if they only had primary education level (completed or not) and the high education group for those having higher education level. The assessments included: grip strength, pinch strength, Visual Analogue Scale, Quick DASH Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was obtained for grip strength (p = 0.027), pinch strength (p = 0.002) and catastrophizing (p = 0.038) between the two groups. No significant differences were observed for the other variables studied (p < 0.05). Grip strength was not related to individual factors: type of work, age, body mass index.

CONCLUSION

CTS patients with a low educational level exhibited reduced grip and pinch strength and more catastrophic thinking. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms involved in the loss of strength in patients with lower educational levels.

Address: Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Service of Physical Therapy, Hospital Clínico La Florida, Santiago, Chile.; Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomechanics and Kinesiology Laboratory, Service of Physical Therapy, San José Hospital, Santiago, Chile; Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Education in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.; Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109474

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/carpaltunnelsyndrome.html

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-TTR-1

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Aged, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Catastrophization, Cross-Sectional Studies, Educational Status, Female, Hand Strength, Humans, Life Style, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Pinch Strength, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Treatment Outcome