Efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in chronic myofascial neck pain: a randomized controlled study

Fatma Alzahraa Mohamed Ali, Soheir Shehata Rezkallah, Ghada Abd Elmoneim Abdullah, Haidy Samir Roshdy

Fatma Alzahraa Mohamed Ali, Soheir Shehata Rezkallah, Ghada Abd Elmoneim Abdullah, Haidy Samir Roshdy – Efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in chronic myofascial neck pain: a randomized controlled study –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2025; 25(2); 384-391

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG00E1Y752

Abstract
Background. Myofascial pain syndrome is considered a common non-articular musculoskeletal pain and a major cause of chronic neck pain. Cervical stabilization exercises have been shown to reduce neck pain and disability by increasing the activation of deep neck flexor muscles and improving coordination between superficial and deep cervical muscles.
Purpose. To assess the efficacy of cervical stabilization exercises in chronic myofascial neck pain in terms of hand grip and key pinch strength, intensity of neck pain, pain pressure threshold, and hand function.
Methods. Fifty-two female patients diagnosed with chronic myofascial neck pain with active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius were randomly assigned into two equal groups.
Experimental Group A was treated with cervical stabilization exercises and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique. Their mean ± SD age, weight, height, and BMI were 30.12 ± 5.44 years, 66.58 ± 7.10 kg, 159.23 ± 5.59 cm, and 26.22 ± 1.92 kg/m², respectively.
Control Group B was treated with integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique alone. Their mean ± SD age, weight, height, and BMI were 31.31 ± 5.68 years, 67.35 ± 9.91 kg, 160.54 ± 6.47 cm, and 26.10 ± 3.40 kg/m², respectively.
Treatment was administered three sessions per week for one month. Hand grip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer, key pinch strength with a pinch dynamometer, pain pressure threshold via pressure algometer, neck pain intensity using a visual analogue scale, and hand function via the Michigan Hand Questionnaire.
Results. All measurements showed statistically significant improvements in both groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group outperformed the control group in terms of progress.
Conclusion. Adding cervical stabilization exercises to integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique has a superior effect on hand grip strength compared to the inhibition technique alone in patients with chronic myofascial neck pain.
Key words
cervical stabilization exercises, hand grip strength, myofascial neck pain
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Low-level laser therapy and Graston technique on recurrence rate of palmar fibromatosis post percutaneous needle fasciotomy

Menna Allah Mohamed Saad, Amal Mohamed Abd Elbaky, Ashraf Elsebaie Mohamed Elsebaie, Shimaa Galal El Sayed Mohamed, Khadra Mohamed Ali

Menna Allah Mohamed Saad, Amal Mohamed Abd Elbaky, Ashraf Elsebaie Mohamed Elsebaie, Shimaa Galal El Sayed Mohamed, Khadra Mohamed Ali – Low-level laser therapy and Graston technique on recurrence rate of palmar fibromatosis post percutaneous needle fasciotomy –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2025; 25(1); 94-100

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG007DLV0U

Abstract
Purpose. To investigate the effect of Graston technique and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the recurrence rate of palmar fibromatosis after the percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF) procedure.
Material and methods. In a randomized controlled trial, 120 patients of both genders, aged 45 to 70 years, were divided into four equal groups of 30 patients each. All participants were diagnosed with stage 2 palmar fibromatosis and underwent surgical release (PNF). Treatment began 5 days post-surgery. Group A received LLLT and the Graston technique in addition to a traditional physical therapy program (ultrasound, hand grip strengthening exercises, night splint) for six weeks, with 18 sessions provided every other day (3 sessions per week). Group B received the Graston technique plus a traditional physical therapy program for six weeks. Group C received LLLT plus a traditional physical therapy program for six weeks. Group D received only the traditional physical therapy program for six weeks. Measurements were conducted using the modified Quick DASH and hand grip assessments before and after the six-week treatment period, as well as evaluations of recurrence rates at 6, 12, and 18 months following the conclusion of the treatment.
Results. Post-treatment comparative analysis across the four groups revealed statistically significant outcomes, with all groups showing notable reductions in Quick DASH scores and significant improvements in hand grip strength (p < 0.01). Detailed intergroup evaluations demonstrated that Group A exhibited superior improvements compared to groups B, C, and D, while Group B showed significant enhancements relative to groups C and D. No substantial differences were noted between groups C and D. Additionally, groups A and B showed significantly lower recurrence rates of palmar fibromatosis at 6, 12, and 18 months compared to groups C and D (p < 0.001).
Conclusions. The combined effect of the Graston technique with LLLT and a traditional program significantly reduces the recurrence rate of palmar fibromatosis compared to the other groups, alongside improvements in hand grip strength and reductions in modified Quick DASH scores.
Key words
palmar fibromatosis, Graston technique, percutaneous needle fasciotomy, Dupuytren disease, hand grip strength, hand grip dynamometer, DASH, recurrence rate
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Hand grip strengthening exercises on fine motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder

Mohandass G., Rajeswari Muthusamy, Sivakumar Ramachandran


Mohandass G., Rajeswari Muthusamy, Sivakumar Ramachandran – Hand grip strengthening exercises on fine motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Fizjoterapia Polska 2023; 23(1); 134-140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG07B63F

Abstract
Background. Movement impairments in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are manifested as both delays and deficits, with delays found in gross motor, fine motor and speech domains and deficits found in coordination, postural control and gait. Functional fine motor task is dependent on hand grip strength (HGS) which is found to be decreased. Therapeutic strategies focus primarily on sensory integration issues but HGS is not comprehensively addressed in improving fine motor skills (FMS).
Objective. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of hand grip strengthening exercises on improving FMS in children with ASD.
Materials and Methods. This interventional study was carried out in 27 children with ASD who were recruited from Vidya sudha – Centre for children with special needs. After including in the study, level of FMS was assessed by Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS-2) and HGS was quantified with Martin Vigorimeter. Control group received conventional therapy and Intervention group received hand grip strengthening exercises along with routine therapy for duration of 6 weeks and HGS and level of FMS were reassessed with same outcome measures.
Results. Paired t test showed statistically significant change of HGS in Intervention group and FMS of both the group with p < 0.05. Unpaired t test showed statistically significant change of HGS and FMS with p < 0.05 in Interventional group compared to control group.
Conclusion. Hand grip strengthening exercises improves the HGS and has positive effect on FMS which can be included in the standard plan of care in rehabilitating children with ASD.
Keywords
motor impairments, fine motor skills, hand grip strength, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Martin Vigorimeter
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Effect of Concurrent Training on Hand Grip after Gunshot Wounds in Upper Extremity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Zakaria Mowafy Emam Mowafy, Mohamed Ali Elsafory, Ashraf Ahmed Mohamed Enb

Zakaria Mowafy Emam Mowafy, Mohamed Ali Elsafory, Ashraf Ahmed Mohamed Enb – Effect of Concurrent Training on Hand Grip after Gunshot Wounds in Upper Extremity: A Randomized Controlled Trial – preliminary report. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(4); 184-188

Abstract

Purpose. to evaluate effect of concurrent training on hand grip after gunshot wounds in upper extremity. Design. single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods. Forty patients with Gunshot Wounds in Upper Extremity participated in the study, they were recruited from the police hospital, Egypt; their ages ranged from 20-50 years old. Confidentiality was assured. They were assigned randomly into two groups equally in number; 20 patients each: study Group (A) received concurrent training In addition to their traditional physical therapy program while control group (B) received traditional physical therapy program only. All treatments were administered on the affected upper limb, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Measurement of disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) scale was used to evaluate upper limb disability and Jamar hand dynamometer was used to assess hand grip strength (HGS). Descriptive statistics as mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum were calculated for each group. Unpaired t test was conducted for comparison of (HGS) and (DASH) between both groups. Paired t test was conducted for comparison of (HGS) and (DASH) between pre and post treatment in each group. Alpha point of 0.05 was used as a level of significance. Results. When compared to the pre-treatment condition, HGS / DASH improved in the post test condition in group A and B. Between the groups, There was statistically significant difference was noted between the mean value of all dependent variables in group A and their corresponding value in group B. Conclusion: Concurrent training was effective and beneficial in improving hand grip strength after gunshot wounds in upper extremity as manifested by the highly increased (HGS) and the significant decrease in (DASH).

 

Key words:

Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), concurrent training, hand grip strength, gunshot wounds in upper extremity, and Jamar held dynamometer

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Hand Grip Strength and Fine Motor Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Rajeswari Muthusamy, Ramachandran Padmanabhan, Binu Ninan, Sailakshmi Ganesan

Rajeswari Muthusamy, Ramachandran Padmanabhan, Binu Ninan, Sailakshmi Ganesan – Hand Grip Strength and Fine Motor Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(4); 72-77

Abstract

Background. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is primarily considered as psychiatric disorder but physical features are associated with it. Motor impairments are manifested as both delays and deficits, with delays found in gross motor, fine motor and speech domains and deficits found in praxis, coordination and gait. Gross motor functions develop overtime but fine motor is still found to be delayed even at the age of three years. Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is reduced in ASD which might be one of the factors for dependent functional fine motor task. The extent of muscle weakness and its impact on fine motor skills (FMS) is not clear which would provide an insight into the child’s physical limitations and plan of care. Aim. The aim of the study was to find the extent of muscle weakness in hand and impact of hand grip strength on fine motor skills in ASD children. Materials and Methods. This cross sectional study was carried out in 65 ASD children who met the inclusion criteria. Subjects were recruited from Vidyasudha – Centre for children with special needs. Children diagnosed as ASD with Childhood Autism Rating Scale were included in the study. Level of the FMS was assessed by Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS-2) and grip strength was quantified with Martin Vigorimeter. Results. Unpaired t test analysis showed statistically significant change of HGS between normative values of Martin Vigorimeter in Indian population and ASD children with p < 0.05. Pearson’s correlation showed strong positive correlation between fine motor skills and hand grip strength with r value of > 0.7 and p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion. The result concludes that there is significant weakness in hand grip strength with positive correlation of fine motor skills in ASD children. The result insists routine assessment of muscle strength and use of Martin Vigorimeter for assessing hand grip strength in ASD children followed by strengthening exercises to improve activities of daily living and attain functional independency.

Key words:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fine motor skills, Hand grip strength, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Martin Vigorimeter
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