Sollerman Hand Function Test
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Purpose[edit | edit source]
Sollerman Hand function test is used in the assessment of hand functions. It shows the ability and quality of the hand while performing activities of daily living. The test is highly significant in hand surgery for the assessment of the choice of treatment and results of treatments.
Description[edit | edit source]
Sollerman Hand function test was developed on the notion that the prehensile movements of the human hand can be expressed as variations of basic hand grips.[1]
The eight main hand grips in activities of daily living(ADL) into which a normal grip pattern can be divided.
| Hand Grips | Position | Percentage use in ADL(%) |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp pinch | The object is held between the thumb and the index or the middle finger, or both | 20 |
| Lateral pinch | The object is held between the thumb and the radial side of the index finger | 20 |
| Tripod pinch | The object is surrounded by the thumb, index and middle finger. It may have contact with the web of the thumb | 10 |
| Five-finger pinch | The object is held between the thumb and the four fingers together. It has no contact with the palm | 15 |
| Diagonal volar grip | The object is held with the thumb against the four fingers. It has contact with the palm and its axis is diagonal to that of the hand | 15 |
| Transverse volar grip | The object is held with the thumb against the four fingers. It has contact with the palm and its axis is transverse to that of the hand | 14 |
| Spherical volar grip | The object is surrounded by the thumb and the four fingers and has contact with the palm | 4 |
| Extension grip | The object is held between the thumb and the four fingers, which are extended in the interphalangeal joints. It has no contact with the palm | 2 |
Sollerman Hand function test includes 20 subtests, each involving an ADL task. The 20 subtests of the Sollerman hand function test and the prescribed hand grips include:
| Subtest | Hand Grips |
|---|---|
| Put key into Yale lock, turn 90 degrees | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch |
| Pick up coins from flat surface, put into purse mounted on wall | Pulp pinch |
| Open/close purse | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch |
| Pick up coins from purses | Pulp pinch |
| Lift wooden cubes over edge (5 cm in height) | Five-finger pinch |
| Lift iron over edge (5 cm in height) | Transverse volar grip |
| Turn screw with screwdriver | Diagonal volar grip |
| Pick up nuts and put on bolts | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch, tripod pinch |
| Unscrew lid of jars | Spherical volar grip |
| Do up buttons | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch |
| Cut modeling clay with knife and fork | Tripod pinch, diagonal volar grip |
| Put tubigrip stocking on the other hand | Lateral pinch, five-finger pinch |
| Write with a pen | Tripod pinch |
| Fold paper, put into envelope | Five-finger pinch, lateral pinch |
| Put paper clip on envelope | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch |
| Pick up telephone receiver and put it to the ear | Diagonal volar grip |
| Turn door handle 30 degrees | Transverse volar grip |
| Pour water from 1-L paper milk package | Five-finger pinch |
| Pour water from the jug | Transverse volar grip |
| Pour water from the cup | Pulp pinch, lateral pinch |
The performance of each subtest is scored on a scale of 0 to 4 points and maximum points to be scored for all 20 tasks is 80points. The scoring system takes notes of the time taken to carry out tasks, the level of difficulty and the quality of hand performance. Patients with normal hand function would achieve 80 points with the dominant hand and 77-79 points with the non-dominant hand. The points are graded as follows:
| Score | Performance |
|---|---|
| 0 | The patient could not carry out the task |
| 1 | The task was partially performed within 60 seconds |
| 2 | The task was completed, but with great difficulty, or the task was not carried out with the prescribed hand-grip, or the task was not completed within 40 seconds but within 60 seconds |
| 3 | The task was completed, but with slight difficulty, or the task was carried out with the prescribed hand-grip but with slight divergence from normal, or the task was not completed within 20 seconds but within 40 seconds |
| 4 | The task was carried out without any difficulty within 20 seconds and with the prescribed hand-grip of normal quality |
Technique[edit | edit source]
The patient is seated comfortably with the test equipment placed on the table. The tasks are to be carried out in this position unless when standing is required for the task. Each subtest is timed with a keen observation on the hand function. Most subtests require the task to be carried out separately by each hand while some require both hands to be used.
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Sollerman hand function test is easy to perform and reliable. It has been used in the assessment of hand functions in post-surgical patients with tetraplegic conditions, chronic stroke, after replantation or revascularisation of upper extremity injuries, Dupuytren's contracture and in patients undergoing long term haemodialysis.
Resources[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sollerman C, Ejeskär A. Sollerman hand function test: a standardised method and its use in tetraplegic patients. Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery. 1995 Jan 1;29(2):167-76.
- ↑ Weng LY, Hsieh CL, Tung KY, Wang TJ, Ou YC, Chen LR, Ban SL, Chen WW, Liu CF. Excellent reliability of the Sollerman hand function test for patients with burned hands. Journal of burn care & research. 2010 Nov 1;31(6):904-10.
- ↑ Katie Smith. Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHFT). Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WywEIm-AqV0&t=91s [last accessed 7/10/2020]
