Hand strength measurements are of interest to study pathology of the
hand that involves loss of
muscle strength. Examples of these pathologies are
carpal tunnel syndrome,
nerve injury,
tendon injuries of the hand, and neuromuscular disorders. Hand strength testing is frequently used for clinical decision-making and outcome evaluation in
evidence-based medicine. It is used to
diagnose diseases, to evaluate and compare treatments, to document progression of muscle strength, and to provide feedback during the
rehabilitation process. In addition, strength testing is often used in areas such as
sports medicine and
ergonomics. In general, hand strength measurements can be divided into manual muscle testing and dynamometry.