Adaptive Utensils Research

 Adaptive Utensils Research:

This Blog will review  “Effectiveness of adaptive silverware on range of motion of the hand”.  This article was published in PeerJ in 2016.  The purpose of the research article was to examine the range of motion requirements for the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints of the digits and the MP joint of the hand under three conditions.

1. Holding a standard spoon
2. Holding a spoon with a built up handle of 1.25 inches
3. Holding a spoon with a built up handle of 1.75 inches

The subjects in the study were 34 college student females ranging in age from 18 to 30.  The subjects were instructed to keep all fingers in contact the spoon while holding the spoon as if they were to feed themselves.  Finger and thumb range of motion was recorded for each condition using an electrogoniometer according to standardized procedure.  The order of recording for each handle presented for analysis was randomized.  Grip strength was also recorded as part of the study and it was found that all of the subjects had grip strength within normal limits for their age and sex. Results of the study as might be expected were that as the handle diameter increased, less range of motion was required for the finger and thumb joints.  This difference was statistically significant. (p<.001). 

The implications of the study are that for individuals with conditions like Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis that results in a restriction of hand ROM that adaptive utensils might be an appropriate intervention to improve function in the important self care task of self feeding.  The authors point out, however, that these findings do not necessarily indicate that the task of eating becomes more efficient or easier when built up utensils are used and suggest further research to determine if this is the case or not.  Another limitation from my perspective is that it appears the subjects were all asked to hold the utensil with a cylindrical grip.  Most individuals will not hold a standard utensil with a cylindrical grasp pattern. (see the typical grasp pattern in the photo below)

Certainly, this study advances our knowledge in this area and points to the need for future adaptive utensil research.  

Reference:                                                                                                                               McDonald et. al. (2016) “Effectiveness of adaptive silverware on range of motion of the hand”  PeerJ, DOI 10.7017 /peerj, 1667 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26893960/

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