GOAL: To provide a much-needed simple, valid, and reliable measure of dynamic thumb forces that quantifies functional performance, impairment and recovery related to orthopedic and neurological diseases. The absence of an objective and sensitive outcome measure of dynamic thumb forces precludes informative clinical studies to optimize the choice, timing and options of treatment for each patient. APPROACH: We have designed a novel test to quantify the ability to produce dynamic thumb forces. The strength-dexterity (S-D) test is based on the principle of buckling of slender springs, and its current prototype consists of asking a person to attempt to compress each of 87 compression springs with different combinations of strength (stiffness) and dexterity (propensity to buckling) requirements. Our past clinical work has shown that the S-D Test is repeatable and is informative of the neuro-musculo-skeletal integrity of thumb with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) better than measurements of pinch strength. We propose to refine the S-D Test into a clinically useful measure of dynamic thumb forces.
AIM 1 : Minimize burden to patient and clinician. We will shorten the S-D Test from 87 spring compressions to compressing at most 2 springs, 3 times each. Digital signal processing of fingertip kinematics and sensors embedded in this spring will fully characterize dynamic neuro-musculo-skeletal thumb function at each strength level via 3 continuous parameters.
AIM 2 : Validate the shortened S-D Test against established measures of hand function. We will deploy the S-D Test at the Hospital for Special Surgery to test the following hypotheses. PRIMARY HYPOTHESIS: The S-D Test correlates with available measures of hand function. SECONDARY HYPOTHESIS: The S-D Test correlates with patient satisfaction after treatment for CMC OA better than available measures of hand function. IMPACT: We seek to develop an assessment tool that is both simple and expeditious to administer, and can divulge a more comprehensive/reliable and quantifiable measure of this crucial thumb function. Developing the S-D Test into a quick, objective, and clinically valid measure of dynamic thumb forces will be instrumental to quantifying impairment and assessing effectiveness of treatments in today's clinical environment.
| Lyle, Mark A; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J; Gregor, Robert J et al. (2013) The lower extremity dexterity test as a measure of lower extremity dynamical capability. J Biomech 46:998-1002 |
| Towles, Joseph D; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J; Hentz, Vincent R (2013) Capacity of small groups of muscles to accomplish precision grasping tasks. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2013:6583-6 |
| Dayanidhi, Sudarshan; Hedberg, Asa; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J et al. (2013) Developmental improvements in dynamic control of fingertip forces last throughout childhood and into adolescence. J Neurophysiol 110:1583-92 |
| Holmström, Linda; de Manzano, Orjan; Vollmer, Brigitte et al. (2011) Dissociation of brain areas associated with force production and stabilization during manipulation of unstable objects. Exp Brain Res 215:359-67 |
| Mosier, Kristine; Lau, Chad; Wang, Yang et al. (2011) Controlling instabilities in manipulation requires specific cortical-striatal-cerebellar networks. J Neurophysiol 105:1295-305 |
| Vollmer, Brigitte; Holmström, Linda; Forsman, Lea et al. (2010) Evidence of validity in a new method for measurement of dexterity in children and adolescents. Dev Med Child Neurol 52:948-54 |
| Lange, B S; Requejo, P; Flynn, S M et al. (2010) The potential of virtual reality and gaming to assist successful aging with disability. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 21:339-56 |
| Keenan, Kevin G; Santos, Veronica J; Venkadesan, Madhusudhan et al. (2009) Maximal voluntary fingertip force production is not limited by movement speed in combined motion and force tasks. J Neurosci 29:8784-9 |
| Venkadesan, Madhusudhan; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J (2009) Effects of neuromuscular lags on controlling contact transitions. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 367:1163-79 |
| Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J (2009) A mathematical approach to the mechanical capabilities of limbs and fingers. Adv Exp Med Biol 629:619-33 |
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