ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Rehabil. Sci.
Sec. Interventions for Rehabilitation
Biomechanical Assessment of Grasping Postures in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis when holding Adaptive Silverware
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, United States
- 2School of Health, Social Work, and Sport, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom
- 3University Rhematology Associates, Chattanooga, TN, United States
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Introduction. Utensils with built-up handles are often recommended to minimize the required finger joint angles for functional grasping to reduce pain and help individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) overcome participation barriers. However, there is a paucity of data describing the impact of built-up handles on range of motion (ROM) requirements of the hand. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how built-up handles of varying thickness affect hand ROM in individuals with RA. Methods. Thirty-five individuals with RA were instructed to grasp a standard handle spoon, a 1.00 inch, and a 1.50 inch built-up handle spoon and perform a simulated eating task. Electrogoniometers were used to measure the finger joint angles of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints for digits 2-5. Results. In general, there were significant decreases in finger joint flexion as handle diameters increased. Twenty-nine of the thirty-five individuals selected the 1.50 inch handle to take home with the remainder choosing the 1.00 inch. Discussion. This study is the first to provide quantitative data to support the notion that the grasping postures required when using built-up handled spoons utilizes reduced finger joint angles for individuals with RA when compared to a standard handle spoon which could help providers when assessing patient needs and when designing hand orthoses. We recommend practitioners provide built-up handled utensils where possible, or educate people with RA on where to buy or how to make adaptive utensils, to assist the independence of individuals with RA. Conclusion. This paper supports the appropriate prescription and use of adaptive silverware by healthcare providers in the promotion of independence for individuals with RA.
Keywords: Activities of Daily Living, Adaptive equipment, Environmental modifications, hand function, Occupational Therapy, Rheumatoid arthritis
Received: 17 Dec 2025; Accepted: 30 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Jordon, Levine, Richards, Poole, Padalino, Babbitt and Brit. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Max Jordon
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