Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Patients with Frozen Shoulder

Manual Dexterity in Frozen Shoulder

Authors

Keywords:

Frozen shoulder, Manual dexterity, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Upper limb function, Therapy

Abstract

Background: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) severely impacts upper limb function, causing pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion that affects essential daily activities requiring manual dexterity. This study evaluated fine motor skills using the Nine-Hole Peg Test to assess dexterity impairment and its association with functional limitations in frozen shoulder patients.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study over 6 months included 89 diagnosed frozen shoulder patients using convenient sampling. The Nine-Hole Peg Test measured manual dexterity, with additional data collected on pain intensity, range of motion, and functional limitations.

Results: Participants included 20 males (22.5%) and 69 females (77.5%). The affected shoulder showed significantly impaired performance: mean test time was 28.21±4.73 seconds versus 23.09±4.82 seconds for the unaffected side. Fewer pegs were placed on the affected side (6.78±1.18) compared to unaffected (7.99±0.88), with more pegs dropped (2.24±1.18 versus 1.01±0.88). Mean pain score was 5.26±1.88, with left shoulder more commonly affected (55.1%).

Conclusion: Frozen shoulder significantly impairs manual dexterity, with patients demonstrating slower task completion, reduced precision, and increased errors on the affected side. The study highlights how pain, mobility loss, and compensatory strategies affect fine motor skills, emphasizing the need for comprehensive rehabilitation addressing fine motor skills alongside joint mobility and pain management.

Author Biographies

Khadija Shukat Shaukat Ali Mehar, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Occupational Therapist  

Laiba Ali, PSRD College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Occupational Therapist

Ramma Inam, PSRD College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

HOD/Assistant Professor

Sabeen Masood, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Occupational Therapist

Kashaf Saleem, PSRD College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Senior Lecturer/Occupational Therapist 

 

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Published

2025-08-13

How to Cite

Shaukat Ali Mehar, K. S., Ali, L., Inam, R., Masood, S., & Saleem, K. (2025). Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Patients with Frozen Shoulder : Manual Dexterity in Frozen Shoulder. Pakistan Journal of Occupational Therapy and Health , 1(01), 35–43. Retrieved from https://pjoth.com/index.php/anp/article/view/4