Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most common causes of work-related illnes, reimbursement and absence among workers in working environments throughout the world. Among various factors, exposure to vibration is one of the main causes of these injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of key factors on the occurrence and exacerbation of the effects of exposure of HAND-arm to vibration. Materials and Methods: In this study, the amount of vibration as well as the amount of grasp force for 57 workers working with pneumatic torque wrench in an automobile industry was measured. Results: The main findings of the study showed that the mean grasp force of the workers after exposure to vibration decreased from 43. 22 to 40. 90 kg. The results of this study can provide valuable information on designing tools, controlling the incidence and outbreak of vibrational disorders. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study, an average of 5. 67% reduction was observed in grasp force. Moreover, due to the strong correlation between the mean grasp force difference of workers before and after exposure to vibration and a 4-hour acceleration in the X axis, it can be concluded that the critical axis of the HAND-arm vibration is in the X-axis in the pneumatic torque wrench.

Introduction: In all societies, tools and equipment are generally designed for right-HANDed people, who make up approximately 90% of the population, but left-HANDed and ambidextrous people (those who use both HANDs in manual activities) also live among us. Even in delicate and sensitive jobs. This research investigated the relationship between the spectral effect of the dominant HAND and grip STRENGTH and HAND dexterity. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to measure the power and precision grip of 182 adult participants (56% female and 44% male). The dominant HAND of the participants was determined using the Edinburgh Dominant HAND Questionnaire. Power grip STRENGTH was measured using the Constant 14192-709E. Pinch grip test was performed using Saehan Hydraulic Pinch Gauge SH5005 for both HANDs separately. Dexterity of both HANDs was also measured using the Pegboard 32020A tool. Results: Power and precision grips were more common in men than in women (P<0.001). Power grip differed between right- and left-HANDed women (P=0.019), with right-HANDed women having greater grip STRENGTH. The Precision grip of left-HANDed men was significantly (P<0.001) greater than that of right-HANDed men. HAND dexterity of left-HANDed men was significantly (P<0.001) higher than that of right-HANDed men. Two-HANDed agility (P<0.001) and assembly dexterity (P<0.001) are significantly higher in ambidextrous people than in right- and left-HANDed people. Conclusion: The power, precision grip and dexterity are different between women and men. The grip STRENGTH of men is stronger than that of women. Ambidextrous people have more dexterity and assembly agility, so in jobs that require the use of two HANDs, they perform better and will be recommended for employment in this category of jobs.

Introduction: Health-related physical fitness requires muscular STRENGTH to perform physical activities. The HANDgrip test is used to assess the muscular STRENGTH of the HAND. The flexor muscle STRENGTH in palmar, thenar, and hypothenar areas of the HAND collectively form the HANDgrip STRENGTH (HGS). However, the extensor mechanism, including the intrinsic musculature, plays a minor role in producing HANDgrip STRENGTH. Also, each finger plays an essential role in HANDgrip STRENGTH. This study aims to identify the association between the HANDgrip STRENGTH and the HANDspan of the dominant and non-dominant HANDs of undergraduate physical therapy students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on undergraduate physical therapy students. Different public and private physical therapy schools and universities in Karachi City, Pakistan were chosen to collect the data with an estimated sample size of 100 undergraduate physical therapy students. The sampling was done by the non-probability convenient sampling method. The inclusion criteria were undergraduate physiotherapy students (from both genders) and willing to participate in the study. Results: The Pearson test was used to determine the significant correlation between HANDgrip STRENGTH and HANDspan. The results showed the mean and standard deviation of HANDgrip STRENGTH (dominant HAND) was 25. 96± 11. 538, of HANDgrip STRENGTH in Kg (non-dominant HAND) was 24. 93± 12. 336, and of HANDspan length in Cm of the dominant HAND was 20. 2910± 1. 78671. The present study showed a positive association between HANDgrip STRENGTH and HANDspan. The HANDgrip STRENGTH of the non-dominant HAND was higher than the dominant HANDgrip STRENGTH values. HANDspan was also higher in the non-dominant HAND compared with the dominant HAND, but this difference is not significant. Conclusion: The HANDgrip STRENGTH of physical therapy students had a positive association with the HANDspan. The HANDspan and dominant HAND influence HANDgrip STRENGTH.

Introduction: Malnutrition (MN) is a typical complication among hemodialysis patients which is associated with morbidity and mortality rates. This cross-sectional study investigated different indices in detecting MN in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: MN assessment was performed using subjective [Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS)] and objective techniques [HAND Grip STRENGTH (HGS)] on patients undergoing hemodialysis 3 times a week in Semnan Province (Iran). SGA and DMS were evaluated by their specific check-lists and HGS analysis was performed using a HANDgrip dynamometer. The dietary intake of hemodialysis patients was determined using a 4-day dietary recall. Moreover, 4 ml blood sample was obtained from each patient to measure serum biochemical parameters. Results: Amongst 116 enrolled patients, 61 were male and 55 were female. The total prevalence of MN in terms of SGA, DMS, and HGS was 74. 2, 58. 6, and 63% respectively. Moreover, the association of SGA with age and of DMS with age, gender, and time of hemodialysis were shown. For HGS, not only these factors but also biochemical parameters showed a relationship. This index was associated with serum Albumin and inflammatory marker, hsCRP. Conclusion: Simple and easily accessible tools like HANDheld dynamometers can verify to be a good nutrition assessment technique for hemodialysis patients in combination with SGA or DMS.

Background & Aims: Grip STRENGTH plays a fundamental role in many daily activities of upper extremities. Reduced grip STRENGTH is common in patients with some musculoskeletal disorders in upper extremities. Kinesio taping of the forearm area might help to facilitate muscle contraction through stimulating the skin mechanoreceptors and consequently increasing sensory feedbacks around the taped area. This study aimed to find the best place and time for kinesio taping of the forearm in increasing HAND grip STRENGTH.Methods: Using a simple non-randomized sampling method, 40 healthy subjects (20 males and 20 females) were recruited in this interventional study. First, the flexor, extensor and flexor/extensor muscle groups of the forearm were taped with a 50% stretched and I-shaped technique. A grip-meter device (MIE, UK) was used to measure the grip STRENGTH every half an hour during 2 hours and then the tape was removed from the skin. Changes of the HAND grip STRENGTH before and after the taping were recorded and analyzed using Repeated Measure and One-Way ANOVA.Results: Mean age of participants was 22.3±2 years. HAND grip STRENGTH of males increased from 38.33±6.5 to 42.4±7.3 kg (P<0.05) and in females it increased from 19.3±4.5 to 23.5±4.3 kg (P<0.05). In addition, taping on the extensor region increased HAND grip STRENGTH more than when it was used on the flexor or flexor/extensor regions (P<0.05). Furthermore, male subjects reached to the maximum HAND grip STRENGTH (10.8% increase in force) in half an hour after taping while females reached to this point (23.9% increase in force) 1.5 hour after taping.Conclusion: Kinesio taping technique seemed to be effective in increasing HAND grip STRENGTH of healthy individuals and the best region for tape application is the extensor region of the forearm. Although in females increase of HAND grip STRENGTH occurs later than males, the rate of this increase is higher.

Several full porcelain systems are available in the market, among which In - Ceram (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany), has been introduced to show unique properties including: fine esthetic and high quality STRENGTH. In this investigation Flexural STRENGTH of In - Ceram core material has been evaluated by four - point bending test with Instron (Model 1195) machine. Samples were provided in form of ten bars of core material with the dimension of 30 × 6 × 2.5 mm.Results obtained show that the mean value of 538 ± 42 (MPa), of force is required to hit its resistance limit which is higher than similar values in other dental ceramics, within acceptable clinical range.

Background and Aim: ZOE has been used in different fields of dentistry for many years. A locally produced component (Zoliran) has been recently introduced to the marketwith similar characteristic to the original Zonalin. Because of a lower cost involved to use Zoliran cement and its availability, confirm reliability of its physical properties. This investigation was designed to assess the Compressive STRENGTH of Zoliran cement in comparison to Zonalin cement as the standard material. Materials and Methods: Five samples with dimension of 4mmx6mm of each cement were provided and stored in distilled water in 370C±10C for a period of 24 hours. The lowest load of force was registered as the reference to which the sample could be broken by(according to the criteria No: 30 of ANSIIADA). The value of compressive STRENGTH was then calculated using the following formula (K =4F/πD2 ). Results: The mean compressive STRENGTH of five samples was measuredas: 14.33 Mpa for Zoliran cement and 31.83 Mpa for Zonalin cement. The mean compressive STRENGTH of Zonalincement was significantly higher than the mean suggested in ANSl/ADA Specification No.30. The mean compressiveSTRENGTH of Zoliran cement was also lower than the mean value registered in ANSI/ADA SpecificationNo.30. Conclusion: Compressive STRENGTH of Zoliran cement was significantlylower than that of Zonalin cement. Further tests are required to compare the other physical properties of this material before it can be clinically recommended.