Hand Function, Participation and Quality of Life

PURPOSE: A survey of the literature shows that most of the research in hand therapy relates to a remedial model targeting structural impairments (Rudolf, Kus, Chung, Johnston, LeBlanc & Cieza, 2012). Considering the persistence of many hand health conditions (HC), this study attempted to broaden this perspective and to describe a range of HC in terms of quality of life (QOL), activity and participation (A&P), and hand function. DESIGN: This is a descriptive, correlative predictive study, which examines relationships between hand function, A&P and QOL in people with HC compared to healthy controls. Participants were recruited from two hand clinics between February 2015 and October 2018. Seventy patients with chronic and acute hand conditions agreed to participate in the study. Criteria for inclusion in this study were that patients be adults (age 18 years or older) with a diagnosis of HC, who were referred for treatment by an orthopedic surgeon. Individuals with additional major health conditions that impact functioning and quality of life, documented in medical record or self-report, were excluded from the study. METHODS: Participants were recruited from two hand clinics. The research group was matched with healthy participants. Assessments were administered to participants in their first visit to the hand clinic. Healthy participants were administered the same assessment protocol. QOL was measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire; A&P with the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire; pain with the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation; hand function with The Functional Dexterity Test, Jamar Dynamometer and Pinch Gauge. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with chronic and acute hand conditions (HC) agreed to participate in the study (Mean age=43.70 SD=17.56; 47 males and 30 females). The study group reported significantly (p