抄録
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to study manual dexterity levels provided by the type of compression garment and compression bandages of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). [Methods] Twenty-six BCRL patients formed experimental group and 32 healthy volunteers who were matched to the experimental subjects were in the control group. Grip strength and manual dexterity were tested under the three conditions (the no compression condition, the garment condition, and the bandage condition) using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), the Box and Block Test (B&BT) and a hand-held Jamar dynamometer. [Results] The comparison showed significant differences of grip strength between the experimental group and the control group under the bandage condition. Both groups’ performance abilities decreased as the thickness of the compression materials increased. The correlations between the grip strength and dexterity scores tended to be low to moderate, ranging from 0.407 (Box and Block Test) to - 0.550 (Nine-Hole Peg Test) under the bandage condition. [Conclusion] The result of this study suggest that the grip strength and manual dexterity scores in patients with BCRL are influenced by the characteristics of the compression type. A wider choice of compression materials would improve on hand function in activities of daily living.
