Document Detail


Effects of carpal tunnel syndrome on adaptation of multi-digit forces to object weight for whole-hand manipulation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22110738     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The delicate tuning of digit forces to object properties can be disrupted by a number of neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. One such condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a compression neuropathy of the median nerve that causes sensory and motor deficits in a subset of digits in the hand. Whereas the effects of CTS on median nerve physiology are well understood, the extent to which it affects whole-hand manipulation remains to be addressed. CTS affects only the lateral three and a half digits, which raises the question of how the central nervous system integrates sensory feedback from affected and unaffected digits to plan and execute whole-hand object manipulation. We addressed this question by asking CTS patients and healthy controls to grasp, lift, and hold a grip device (445, 545, or 745 g) for several consecutive trials. We found that CTS patients were able to successfully adapt grip force to object weight. However, multi-digit force coordination in patients was characterized by lower discrimination of force modulation to lighter object weights, higher across-trial digit force variability, the consistent use of excessively large digit forces across consecutive trials, and a lower ability to minimize net moments on the object. Importantly, the mechanical requirement of attaining equilibrium of forces and torques caused CTS patients to exert excessive forces at both CTS-affected digits and digits with intact sensorimotor capabilities. These findings suggest that CTS-induced deficits in tactile sensitivity interfere with the formation of accurate sensorimotor memories of previous manipulations. Consequently, CTS patients use compensatory strategies to maximize grasp stability at the expense of exerting consistently larger multi-digit forces than controls. These behavioral deficits might be particularly detrimental for tasks that require fine regulation of fingertip forces for manipulating light or fragile objects.
Authors:
Wei Zhang; Jamie A Johnston; Mark A Ross; Anthony A Smith; Brandon J Coakley; Elizabeth A Gleason; Amylou C Dueck; Marco Santello
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural     Date:  2011-11-16
Journal Detail:
Title:  PloS one     Volume:  6     ISSN:  1932-6203     ISO Abbreviation:  PLoS ONE     Publication Date:  2011  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-23     Completed Date:  2012-03-26     Revised Date:  2012-05-24    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101285081     Medline TA:  PLoS One     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  e27715     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adaptation, Physiological*
Biomechanics
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / physiopathology*
Discrimination (Psychology) / physiology
Hand / innervation,  physiopathology*
Hand Strength / physiology*
Humans
Male
Median Nerve / physiopathology
Middle Aged
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
1R01 HD057152/HD/NICHD NIH HHS; R01 HD057152/HD/NICHD NIH HHS

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