Hand Dominance in Fibromyalgia

The handgrip strength and tip pinch strength of the participants were measured using the Jamar-type hand dynamometer and pinch meter available in our clinic. The handgrip strengths were measured with shoulders in adduction and neutral rotation, elbows in 90 degrees flexion, and forearms and wrists in a neutral position, while the tip pinch strengths were measured by squeezing a pinch meter between the thumb and index finger. Participants took a deep breath and then applied gripping force with maximal force while exhaling. In the analysis, the average of the three measurements made with an interval of five minutes was taken as the basis for the analysis.

This test was used to evaluate the hand dexterity of the participants. This test consists of a square area and nine holes in this area, nine cylinders suitable for these holes, and a storage box. Participants quickly took the nine cylinders from the storage box and placed them in the holes, and after placing all the cylinders, they put the cylinders back in the storage box one by one. In the evaluation of the test, the time elapsed during these operations was measured in seconds with a chronometer, and shorter times were considered to indicate better hand dexterity.