Restricted Active Range of Motion at the Elbow, Forearm, Wrist, or Fingers Decreases Hand Function

The purpose of this study was to investigate how restricting active range of motion (AROM) at various upper extremity segments influenced hand function in younger and older populations. Eighteen younger (27 ± 4 yr) and 15 older subjects (67 ± 6 yr) participated. A repeated-measures study design was used with six test conditions: one condition without AROM restrictions and five conditions with AROM restrictions (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, fingers). AROM was restricted using customized braces. Hand function was measured using total time to complete the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function. We found that the older group took longer than the younger group to complete the Jebsen, and that restricting AROM at the elbow, forearm, wrist, or fingers resulted in decreased hand function for both groups. Because restricted AROM is a consequence of a variety of diseases and conditions, it is important to know how restricted AROM at multiple upper extremity segments affects hand function.