IJCRR

IJCRR - 13(1), January, 2021

Pages: 118-120

Date of Publication: 05-Jan-2021

Correlation between Fingernail Length and Pinch Strength Among Collegiate Girls

Author: K. Jothi Prasanna, S. Shivani

Category: Healthcare

Abstract:Background: The effective and precise picking up of small objects is assisted by a fingernail. It plays a passive role in increasing the sensory perception at finger pulp. Pinch is a prehension pattern type. To perform a pinch involvement of two or three fingers are required where thumb plays a significant role.
Objective: The study objective was to correlate the fingernail length and pinch strength among collegiate girls.
Methods: The study design was non-experimental, study type is an observational study, the sample size is 100 subjects, college female students who are with fingernail length ranged from 0mm to 2mm were included. The subjects fingernail is measured using vernier calliper and the pinch strength is measured using pinch gauge.
Results: The result shows that there is a significant negative correlation between pinch strength and fingernail length (p< 0.01).
Conclusion: This study has concluded that the pinch strength decreases as the fingernail length increases.

Keywords: Fingernail length, Pinch strength, Collegiate girls

Full Text:

INTRODUCTION

Hand helps a person to participate and perform various activities and occupation needed for daily life.1 Hand function is done by the action of individual muscles and also by the different movements that take place in the joints. The closing, opening or cupping action of the hand in selected postures such as pinch or hook produces prehension activities.2 Pad-pad prehension, tip-tip prehension and pad-side prehension are the types of prehension handling2. To perform a pinch, the involvement of two or three fingers is required. During pinch strength, the force exerted by the fingers is measured. Thumb plays a significant role in the contribution of the pinch function of the hand. Palmar (three-point) pinch, lateral (key) pinch and tip pinch are the types of pinches. Tip pinch is a type of pinch which involves thumb and index finger. The tip of the thumb meets the tip of the index finger during tip pinch. Palmar pinch involves thumb, index and middle fingers. Lateral pinch is a type of pinch which involves thumb pad and lateral aspect of index finger.1 Average pinch strength among 20-24 years: 1.Tip pinch: right – 11.1 pounds left - 10.5 pounds 2. Lateral pinch: right – 17.6 pounds left – 16.2 pound 3.Palmar pinch: right – 17.2 pounds left – 16.3 pounds.³ Pinch strength is usually assessed using pinch gauge.1 Fingernail has a passive role to increase the perception of sensation at the pulp of the fingers when necessary counter-pressure necessary amount counter pressure is contributed for constriction of sensory end organ which is present between fingernail and palmar skin. It helps in effective and precise picking up of small objects.^4,5

MATERIALS AND METHOD

            Vernier calliper and pinch gauge were used in this study. Informed consent was obtained from the subjects. The subjects were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The procedure was clearly explained to each individual. The distance from the groove present at the junction of the proximal nail fold and eponychium to the tip of the fingers is defined as the fingernail length. The length from the fingertip to the fingernail tip is considered as fingernail length and it can be ranged from 0 mm to 2 mm. The length was measured using Vernier calliper. The subjects were asked to adduct their shoulders and flex their elbow to 90 degrees and they were seated comfortably. The subjects were informed which of three pinch grip should be performed first. The distal portion of the pinch gauge was held by the subjects to maintain the steadiness. Three consecutive trials of each pinch grip were performed. The subject was given rest in between the trials for accuracy. After each trial, the score of the pinch is recorded. The averages of three scores have been recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

            The result shows that there is a significant negative correlation between pinch strength and fingernail length.(p< 0.01). Normally the pinch strength is affected by long nails, infection or fingernail due to any disease, loss of sensation due to any neuropathy and any deformities of hand and fingers caused by trauma, injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. Hence the purpose of this study is to find the correlation between fingernail length and pinch strength. Usually, long fingernails are grown by college girls. So, 100 subjects of college girls were selected to participate and their fingernail length was measured. Subjects with 0-2mm of fingernail were included in this study (Figure 1-4). Tip, palmar and lateral pinch strength were measured in these subjects. Tip pinch strength is less when compared with the other two pinches. It is due to the involvement of the tip of fingers which performs the pinch. Palmar pinch strength is less when compared with a lateral pinch as the pulp of the fingers is involved. Lateral pinch strength is more when compared with the other two pinch strength. A finger pad is involved in the performance of the pinch. The result shows a negative correlation between the fingernail length and pinch strength. As the length of the fingernail increases the pinch strength decreases. The table shows that there is a significant negative correlation between the fingernail length and pinch strength (p<0.01). Hence in this study, it is found that there is a negative correlation between the fingernail length and pinch strength where the pinch strength decreases as the length of the fingernail increases (Figure 5-7).

CONCLUSION

            In this study, participants with long fingernail reported to have minimal pinch strength as pinch strength is affected by long nails. Hence, it is concluded that there is a negative correlation between fingernail length and pinch strength

Conflict of interest: NIL

Financial support: Self

References:

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2. Napier JR. The prehensile movements of the human hand. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1956Nov;38(4):902-13.

3. Levangie PK, Norkin CC. Joint Structure and function: a comprehensive analysis. 3rd. Philadelphia: FA. Davis Company. 2000.

4. Mathiowetz V, Kashman N, Volland G, Weber K, Dowe M, Rogers S. Grip and pinch strength: normative data for adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1985;66(2):69-7

5. Shirato R, Abe A, Tsuchiya H, Honda M. Effect of fingernail length on the hand dexterity. J Physic Ther Sci 2017;29(11):1914-9.