ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Patients with hand disorders frequently experience difficulties opening peelable packaging. PURPOSE: To investigate the forces patients can apply to tear tabs and to compare the results with normative data to make recommendations for the industry and clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. METHODS: One hundred patients with hand disorders were studied. The pinch pull force (PPF) applied to tear tabs of different lengths and materials (aluminum, plastic) was measured with a specially designed device. Key pinch was measured with a pinch gauge. Normative data were taken from another study on 402 healthy adults. RESULTS: Patients were able to apply most force to the longest aluminum tab, using the key grip, but this was only 53% of the force exerted by healthy people. Key pinch determines PPF (R(2)=0.548, p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Manufacturers should provide long aluminum tear tabs. Health professionals are encouraged to measure key pinch to detect difficulties in opening packages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
