Comparative Study of the Distal Transverse Arch of the Hand Between the Dominant and Non-Dominant Hands and By Age and Sex / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Introduction：The range of motion (ROM) of the distal transverse arch of the hand has not been established and cleared sufficiently.Purpose：The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in the distal transverse arch of the hand in ROM between the dominant and non-dominant hands and by sex and age.Participants：We enrolled 118 healthy participants aged 20-69 years.Results：The average active and passive ROMs of the distal transverse arch of the hand were 135.4° ± 10.3°/168.9° ± 12.1° on the dominant side and 131.8° ± 9.8°/166.9° ± 13.2° on the non-dominant side. Active and passive ROMs were significantly larger on the dominant side than on the non-dominant side (p＜0.001, p＝0.009). The active or passive ROM of the distal transverse arch of the hand on either side did not differ significantly between men and women. However, the ROM of the ring finger component was significantly larger in women than in men on both sides (p＝0.02～0.003). The active and passive ROMs of the distal transverse arch in both hands were significantly smaller in participants aged over 60 years than in those aged up to 60 years (p＜0.05). Moreover, compared to participants in their 20s, participants in their 30s and 40s showed lower passive ROMs of the dominant hand and little finger component of the transversal arch in both hands (p＜0.05).Discussion：Our results suggested that handedness, sex, and age should be considered when managing the distal transverse arch of the hand.