Design of grip strength measuring system using FSR and flex sensors using SVM algorithm

This paper proposes a design of a complete system to identify weak grip strength that is caused by multiple factors like ageing, diseases, or accidents. This paper presents a grip measurement system that comprises of force sensing resistor and flex sensor to evaluate the condition of the hand. The system is tested by gripping a pencil and a cylindrical object using the glove, to determine the condition of the hand. Force sensitive resistor (FSR) evaluates the force applied by the different parts of the palm on the object being grasped. Flex sensor evaluates the bending of the fingers and thumb. The data from the sensors is then compared with existing data to evaluate the state of the hand. The data from the sensors is stored on the personal computer (PC) through serial communication. A model is trained using the data from the sensors, which determine if the grip strength of the user is weak or strong. The model is also trained to differentiate between two modes that are pen mode and object mode. The model achieved an accuracy of 90.8 percent using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. This glove can be deployed in medical centers to assist in grip strength measurement.

A Learning Assistance System for the Ergonomic Behavioural Prevention in Production

Musculoskeletal disorders are the major cause for incapacity for work in the Ger-man production industry. Accordingly, ergonomic work processes are particularly important in order to protect the health of employees and to reduce the high follow-up costs for companies and society. Therefore, on the one hand, it is necessary to make workplaces more ergonomic (so-called organisational prevention). On the other hand, employees need to be trained how to carry out work processes as ergonomically as possible and thus optimise their individual behav-iour at the workplace (so-called behavioural prevention). The article presents a learning assistance system for ergonomic be-havioural prevention in production that uses modern motion capture systems to record and analyse the movements of employees. With the help of digital human models, it is possible to visualise overload on the body comprehensively. The learning assistance system ena-bles the employee to perform two primary analyses: A capability analysis allows to measure and assess a worker’s individ-ual mobility with 14 standardised movement exercises and to esti-mate his or her strength with a grip strength measurement. The as-sessment of the results strengthens health literacy in the way that the worker becomes aware of possible physical limitations and can initiate general countermeasures, such as strength or mobility train-ing. An analysis of the specific work processes at the workplace makes it possible to record the workplace-induced stress of a worker and compare it with the worker’s capabilities. This comparison leads to the workplace-specific strain and shows which movements are par-ticularly critical for the health of the individual worker. It enables the worker to recognise the critical work processes and postures of his or her work spectrum, to initiate work-specific measures to in-crease the capabilities and to ergonomically improve the working posture. The latter is the main purpose of the learning assistance system. The use of a motion capture system permits to repeat critical work steps effortlessly in order to show the effect of a more ergo-nomic working posture. These short learning cycles can be repeated until the strain is not critical anymore.

Effectiveness of Continuous Grip Strength Measurement Using Social Assistive Robots on Older Adults at Home

In this study, the effect of social assistive robots (SARs) on the continuity of health management activities was verified through the measurement of daily grip strength. We proposed and developed an intervention system for grip strength measurement and installed it in a SAR. Then, 23 older adults used the system at home with and without a SAR. Each setup was applied for three weeks and the rates at which the participants forgot their daily grip strength measurements were compared at the end of the period. The rates at which the daily measurements were forgotten decreased significantly when a SAR was used. In particular, 9 participants were able to decrease their rate of forgotten measurements after they used a SAR. Thus, the SAR enabled the participants to regularly perform grip strength measurement activities. These findings indicate that appropriate intervention measures using SARs are effective in promoting the continuity of daily healthcare activities of older adults living at home.

The relationship between smartphone usage duration (using smartphone’s ability to monitor screen time) with hand-grip and pinch-grip strength among young people: an observational study

Background The use of smartphones has become widely popular, especially among young people, for multiple purposes other than communication, including gaming and internet browsing. The hand and wrist weakness is one of the main complications associated with the increased use of smartphones. This weakness occurs due to the repetitive flexion and extension of the wrist, thumb, and fingers, leading to a significant musculoskeletal pathology. Little is known about the relationship between smartphone usage duration (using the phones ability to monitor screen time) and hand-grip, pinch-grip strength. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the association between smartphone usage duration and hand-grip, pinch-grip strength among young people. Methods One hundred young males volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were briefly examined for height and weight using a portable stadiometer and a digital scale. Hand-grip, pinch-grip strength measurement was performed using a hand-held dynamometer. Smartphones usage duration was obtained from the daily average screen time reported in the last seven days. Results Mean daily usage of smartphone among the participants was 7.8 ± 2.2. There was a weak significant inverse relationship between smartphone usage duration and hand-grip strength (r=-.22, p = .03) and pinch-grip strength (r=-.28, p = .004). Linear regression revealed that 18.8 % of the variance in hand-grip strength and 20.4 % of the variance in pinch-grip strength was explained by age, and smartphone usage duration, with the addition of BMI only to hand-grip strength (p’s < 0.00). Conclusions Prolonged use of smartphones was related to weaker hand-grip and pinch-grip. Despite the weak relationship, the study showed that smartphone usage duration might contribute as a factor along with age to hand muscles’ strength.

Abstract 17208: Successful Implementation of Grip Strength Measurement as a Frailty Screening Tool

Introduction: Objective screening for frailty is seldom performed because existing tools are time consuming and usually applied post-hoc. Implementation of efficient and feasible frailty screening approaches within clinic is needed. Purpose and hypothesis: We implemented grip strength measurement as a frailty screening tool in a cardiovascular clinic setting and compared this to existing frailty assessment tools, including the modified frailty index-5 (mFI-5) and -11 (mFI-11). We hypothesized that grip strength would be comparable to the mFI-5 and -11, associated with common adverse events including urinary incontinence (UI) and falls, and increased diagnosis of frailty would occur as a result implementation. Methods: Grip strength measurement was integrated into clinic intake to screen for weakness, a frailty component. Measurements were performed routinely for cardiovascular clinic visits and entered into the EMR data field. Categorical frailty was assessed based on 20 th percentile for grip strength (kg) adjusted for gender and BMI. A “dotphrase” statement was built to streamline clinical documentation, and quarterly newsletters were used to disseminate coding and other related information. Categorical tests were used to evaluate associations between grip, weakness, and other measures of frailty. Results: A total of 4,447 unique patients had grip strength measured. Mean age was 63.3±15.6, BMI 29.6±7.0, 47.6% (n=2,115) were female, and 86.5% were Caucasian/White. Based on grip strength, 34.6% (n=1,538) were weak, and 22.0% (n=980) and 16.9% (n=754) were frail based on mFI-5 and mFI-11, respectively. Less than 10% (n=408, 9.25%) had a history of falls and 39 (0.88%) had UI. Falls were associated with weakness (P<0.001) but UI was not. Only 45 (1.01%) had a coded frailty diagnosis in the EMR. Among those with a frailty diagnosis, 35 (77.8%) were considered frail by grip. The negative predictive value (NPV) of the grip strength when mFI-5 is used as the gold standard is 0.84. Conclusions: Grip strength is both feasible and practical for frailty screening in clinical environments. Mismatch between screening-based and coding-based frailty prevalence suggests an opportunity to improve risk screening through routine grip strength assessment.

The relationship between smartphone usage duration (using smartphone’s ability to monitor screen time) with hand-grip and pinch-grip strength among young people. An observational study

BackgroundThe use of smartphones has become widely popular especially among young people for multiple purposes other than communication including gaming and internet browsing. The weakness of the hand and wrist is one of the main complications associated with the increase of use of smartphones. This weakness occurs due to the repetitive flexion and extension of the wrist, thumb and fingers which eventually could lead to a major musculoskeletal pathology. Little is known about the relationship between smartphone usage duration (using the phones ability to monitor screen time) and hand-grip, pinch-grip strength. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the association between smartphone usage duration and hand-grip, pinch-grip strength among young people. Methods100 young males volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were briefly examined for height and weight using a portable stadiometer and a digital scale. Hand-grip, pinch-grip strength measurement was performed using a hand-held dynamometer. Smartphones usage duration was obtained from the daily average screen time reported in the last seven days. ResultsMean daily usage of smartphone among the participants was 7.8 ± 2.2. There was a significant inverse relationship between smartphone usage duration and hand-grip strength (r=-.22, p=.03) and pinch-grip strength (r=-.28, p=.004). ConclusionProlonged use of smartphones is related to weaker hand-grip and pinch-grip. This may lead to future musculoskeletal pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Young people should be aware of the dangers of smartphones overuse.

MP57: Effect of grip strength measured in the emergency department on the risk of functional decline following a minor trauma in robust elderly: a pan-Canadian study

Introduction: The elderly (65 yo and more) increase in Canada is well documented along with a disproportionate use of Emergency Departments after a minor injury. These patients requires specific care given a 16% risk of functional decline following a visit to ED. To prevent functional decline, a multidimensional assessment of the elderly is recommended in the emergency department. Objective: To determine if ED grip strength can predict functional decline at 3 or 6 months post-injury. Methods: A multicentre prospective study in 5 ED across Canada was realized between 2013 and 16. Patients 65 years old and over, autonomous in daily living activities and consulting the emergency department for minor trauma were recruited 7 days a week. Clinical-demographic data, functional status, fear of falling, number of falls in the last month, grip strength measurement were collected in the ED. Functional decline (loss of at least points to functional status) was calculated at 3 and 6 months. Descriptive statistics and linear regression model with repeated measurements were used to determine if the grip strength was predictive of functional decline at 3 or 6 months. Results: 387 patient were recruited. Mean age was 74 ± 7 years old, 52% were male. XXX experienced a fall in the last month. The initial maximum grip strength was (24 ± 10 intervention vs. 28 ± 13 control; p ≤ 0.05). grip strength is associated with pre-injury functional status (p < 0.0001) and fear of falling (p = 0.0001) but does not predict 3 or 6 month functional decline. Conclusion: Given the strong association with fear of falling and functional status at initial ED evaluation, we recommend that grip strength measurement could be included in a multidisciplinary geriatric emergency department assessment as needed.