Hand grip strength and dexterity function in children aged 6-12 years: A cross-sectional study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional and clinical measurement.

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of hand function considers an essential part in clinical practice.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To develop normative values of hand grip strength and dexterity function for 6-12-year-old children in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: Grip strength and dexterity function was measured in 525 children using Grip Track hand dynamometer (JTECH Medical, Midvale, UT, USA) and 9-hole pegboard test respectively.

RESULTS: The grip strength and dexterity function was improved as age progressed regardless of gender. Across all age groups, the hand grip strength of boys was significantly higher than girls for dominant hand (31.75 ± 10.33 vs 28.24 ± 9.35; P < .001) and nondominant hand (31.01 ± 10.27 vs 27.27 ± 9.30; P < .001). The girls performed slightly faster than boys for dominant hand (19.70 vs 20.68; P < .05) and nondominant hand (21.79 vs 23.46; P < .05). In general, girls completed a 9-HPT faster than boys in the 2 of 7 age groups: 11 years (9-HPT scores = 2.10 seconds; P < .01) and 12 years (9-HPT scores = 1.93 seconds; P < .01).

DISCUSSION: The overall patterns of hand grip strength and dexterity function observed in the present study are similar to the previous studies that established acceleration of grip strength with advanced age, and faster performance scores in older children than younger children in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS: Norms of hand grip strength and dexterity enable therapists to identify some developmental characteristics of hand function among Saudi children, determine the presence of impairment, and compare scores from children in different clinical settings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.