Reliability of Box and Block Test for manual dexterity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study

Characterizing upper extremity kinematics in typically developing children during box and blocks test

Upper extremity kinematics are important for understanding functional ability and performance improvements. The Box and Blocks test (BBT) is a standardized functional test used to measure manual dexterity when evaluating children or patients following a stroke. The BBT measures the number of blocks moved in one minute and therefore, kinematic measures and compensatory strategies cannot be assessed. This study examined the correlation between upper extremity kinematics and cycle time per block movement during the BBT in three age groups (7-, 9-, and 11-year-olds). Participants completed one BBT session while test scores and kinematic measures (hand velocity and position and shoulder, elbow, and wrist range of motion and peak joint angles) were captured using standard three-dimensional motion capture techniques. Kinematic measures were determined for block movements during the middle of each BBT trial. A mixed-effects model was used to identify group differences (α = 0.05). BBT score was different (p = 0.005) between the 7- (44.88 ± 6.03) and the 11-year-old age group (56.95 ± 8.37) along with peak shoulder flexion (p = 0.024) and abduction (p = 0.022). Peak elbow flexion was different (p = 0.049) between the 9- and 11-year-old age groups. No differences were seen between the 7- and 9-year-old age groups. Pearson's Correlation Coefficients were determined between cycle time and each significant kinematic measure, where the cycle time is specific to each block movement (BBT score) and is correlated to the BBT score. This resulted in weak correlations for all the comparisons. Therefore, using BBT score alone is not representative of UE kinematics and both should be collected during this task to provide insight into movement mechanics in a pediatric population.

Hand motor functions on the presence of red fluorescent dental biofilm in older community-dwelling Koreans

BACKGROUND

The Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) system visualizes old and mature dental biofilm as red fluorescence. Risk factors for poor oral hygiene have been identified, however, few studies have evaluated the relationship between mature dental biofilm and hand motor functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two important manual motor functions for object manipulation -handgrip strength and manual dexterity- on the presence of red fluorescent dental biofilm in older community-dwelling Koreans using QLF-D, an optical device that reveals dental biofilm.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 70 Korean participants aged ≥65 years, all of whom completed questionnaires and were tested for handgrip strength and manual dexterity. In total, 840 dental surfaces were photographed using QLF-D, and ΔR₂₀ values, which reflect mature dental biofilm accumulation, were calculated. The t-test was performed to analyze the differences in the ∆R₂₀ values according to sociodemographic characteristics, health-related characteristics and hand motor functions, while multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the effects of hand motor functions on the ∆R₂₀ values.

RESULTS

Multivariate regression analysis revealed that handgrip strength (β = -0.294) was the factor most strongly affecting mature dental biofilm accumulation (ΔR₂₀), followed by tooth-brushing time (β = -0.262) and manual dexterity (β = -0.241).

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in handgrip strength and manual dexterity were independent risk factors for pathogenic dental biofilm accumulation. The results of this investigation suggest that programs designed to prevent the decline, as well as improve, handgrip strength and manual dexterity might improve the oral hygiene of older adults.