Association Between Neck and Wrist Pain with Hand Grip Strength and Demographic Factors Among Workers of a Petroleum Products Distribution Company in Sabzevar City
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of neck and wrist pain is mainly related to ergonomic risk factors, affecting the work ability of petroleum workers. This study aimed to analyze the association between neck and wrist/hand pain with hand grip strength and to investigate the effects of factors (age, work experience, BMI, neck and wrist/hand pain, anthropometric dimensions of the hand) on hand grip strength among workers.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a petroleum products distribution company among 180 workers. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to evaluate existing neck and wrist/hand pain. The anthropometric factors of the hand were measured directly using a tape measure. Hand grip strength was measured using a SAEHAN SH® 5001 hydraulic handheld dynamometer; the SAEHAN Hydraulic Pinch Gauge (SH5005) was used for pinch grip strength. Statistical analysis tests including the Chi-square test, Independent T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, One-way analysis of variance, and linear regressions were carried out using SPSS version 26. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results of the study showed that the prevalence of neck pain and hand/wrist pain among workers was 39.44% and 27.22%, respectively. The average grip and pinch strength of the dominant hand was lower in workers who had neck pain than in those who did not have neck pain, but the difference was not significant. There was a significant difference between hand length and hand width in relation to hand grip strength (HGS) and pinch grip strength (PGS). There was no significant relationship between hand grip strength and the variables of BMI and work experience. Linear regression analysis showed that hand length and hand width explained 14.5% of the variance in hand grip strength (F(2, 176) = 14.885, p = .000, R² = 0.145).
Conclusion: The findings showed that there was no substantial link between neck and wrist/hand pain and the strength of hand grip and pinch grip. However, larger hand length and width were significantly correlated with stronger hand grip strength.
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7. Steinberg U, Klußmann A, Liebers F. Manuelle Arbeit ohne Schaden: Grundsätze und Gefährdungsbeurteilung. Berlin: Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin; 2014.
8. Choi YM. Comparison of grip and pinch strength in adults with dexterity limitations to normative values. Procedia Manuf. 2015;3:5326–33.
9. Almhdawi KA, Mathiowetz V, Al-Hourani Z, Khader Y, Kanaan SF, Alhasan M. Musculoskeletal pain symptoms among allied health professions’ students: prevalence rates and associated factors. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(6):1291–301.
10. Wollesen B, Gräf J, Schumacher N, Meyer G, Wanstrath M, Feldhaus C, et al. Influences of neck and/or wrist pain on hand grip strength of industrial quality proofing workers. Saf Health Work. 2020;11(4):458–65.
11. Boadella JM, Kuijer PP, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH. Effect of self-selected handgrip position on maximal handgrip strength. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005;86(2):328–31.
12. Potvin JR. Predicting maximum acceptable efforts for repetitive tasks: an equation based on duty cycle. Hum Factors. 2012;54(2):175–88.
13. Chammas M, Boretto J, Burmann LM, Ramos RM, Neto FS, Silva JB. Carpal tunnel syndrome – Part II (treatment). Rev Bras Ortop. 2014;49:437–45.
14. Nilsen T, Hermann M, Eriksen CS, Dagfinrud H, Mowinckel P, Kjeken I. Grip force and pinch grip in an adult population: reference values and factors associated with grip force. Scand J Occup Ther. 2012;19(3):288–96.
15. Stenholm S, Tiainen K, Rantanen T, Sainio P, Heliövaara M, Impivaara O, et al. Long-term determinants of muscle strength decline: prospective evidence from the 22-year mini-Finland follow-up survey. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60(1):77–85.
16. Sternäng O, Reynolds CA, Finkel D, Ernsth-Bravell M, Pedersen NL, Dahl Aslan AK. Factors associated with grip strength decline in older adults. Age Ageing. 2015;44(2):269–74.
17. Finneran A, O’Sullivan L. Effects of grip type and wrist posture on forearm EMG activity, endurance time and movement accuracy. Int J Ind Ergon. 2013;43(1):91–9.
18. Massy-Westropp NM, Gill TK, Taylor AW, Bohannon RW, Hill CL. Hand grip strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study. BMC Res Notes. 2011;4:127.
19. Puh U. Age-related and sex-related differences in hand and pinch grip strength in adults. Int J Rehabil Res. 2010;33(1):4–11.
20. Frederiksen H, Hjelmborg J, Mortensen J, McGue M, Vaupel JW, Christensen K. Age trajectories of grip strength: cross-sectional and longitudinal data among 8,342 Danes aged 46 to 102. Ann Epidemiol. 2006;16(7):554–62.
21. Bohannon RW, Peolsson A, Massy-Westropp N, Desrosiers J, Bear-Lehman J. Reference values for adult grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer: a descriptive meta-analysis. Physiotherapy. 2006;92(1):11–5.
22. Kjeken I, Dagfinrud H, Slatkowsky-Christensen B, Mowinckel P, Uhlig T, Kvien TK, et al. Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64(11):1633–8.
23. Hansraj KK. Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surg Technol Int. 2014;25:277–9.
24. Wachter NJ, Mentzel M, Krischak GD, Gülke J. Quantification of hand function by power grip and pinch strength force measurements in ulnar nerve lesion simulated by ulnar nerve block. J Hand Ther. 2018;31(4):524–9.
25. Bepko J, Mansalis K. Common occupational disorders: asthma, COPD, dermatitis, and musculoskeletal disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(12):1000–6.
26. Kiruthika S, Mahesh R, Indhu R. A correlation study to analyze the relationship between neck pain, level of musculoskeletal disorders risk and handgrip strength in desktop workers. Int J Health Sci Res. 2024;14(8):37–46.
27. Abdel Azeem T, Amer SA, Gaafar SE. Prevalence of risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the study participants working at an Egyptian oil and gas company. Int J Environ Stud Res. 2024;3(3):112–28.
28. Ramlagan S, Peltzer K, Phaswana-Mafuya N. Hand grip strength and associated factors in non-institutionalised men and women 50 years and older in South Africa. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:8.
29. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7.
30. Deakin J, Stevenson J, Vail G, Nelson J. The use of the Nordic Questionnaire in an industrial setting: a case study. Appl Ergon. 1994;25(3):182–5.
31. Awotidebe TO, Fasakin OM, Ademoyegun AB, Nwajei CC, Oke KI, Adedoyin RA. Influence of body and hand anthropometric characteristics on handgrip strength in young Nigerian women. Bull Fac Phys Ther. 2023;28(1):35.
32. Reis MM, Arantes PMM. Assessment of hand grip strength—validity and reliability of the Saehan dynamometer. Fisioter Pesqui. 2011;18(2):176–81.
33. Trampisch US, Franke J, Jedamzik N, Hinrichs T, Platen P. Optimal Jamar dynamometer handle position to assess maximal isometric hand grip strength in epidemiological studies. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(11):2368–73.
34. Murugan S, Patel D, Prajapati K, Ghoghari M, Patel P. Grip strength changes in relation to different body postures, elbow and forearm positions. Int J Physiother Res. 2013;1(4):116–21.
35. Osailan A. The relationship between smartphone usage duration with hand-grip and pinch-grip strength among young people: an observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22:1–8.
36. Deros BM, Daruis DD, Ismail AR, Sawal NA, Ghani JA. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers performing manual material handling in an automotive manufacturing company. Am J Appl Sci. 2010;7(8):1087–92.
37. Noroozi MV, Hajibabaei M, Saki A, Memari Z. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. Jundishapur J Health Sci. 2015;7(1):e24872.
38. Russo A, Onder G, Cesari M, Zamboni V, Barillaro C, Capoluongo E, et al. Lifetime occupation and physical function: a prospective cohort study on persons aged 80 years and older living in a community. Occup Environ Med. 2006;63(7):438–42.
39. Saremi M, Rostamzadeh S, editors. Hand dimensions and grip strength: a comparison of manual and non-manual workers. In: Proc 20th Cong Int Ergonomics Assoc (IEA 2018). Cham: Springer; 2019.
40. Josty I, Tyler M, Shewell P, Roberts A. Grip and pinch strength variations in different types of workers. J Hand Surg Br. 1997;22(2):266–9.
41. Werle S, Goldhahn J, Drerup S, Simmen BR, Sprott H, Herren D. Age- and gender-specific normative data of grip and pinch strength in a healthy adult Swiss population. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009;34(1):76–84.
42. Gangopadhyay S, Ghosh T, Das T, Ghoshal G, Das BB. Prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among brass metal workers in West Bengal, India. Ind Health. 2007;45(2):365–70.
43. Gholamian J, Habibi E, Ordudari Z. Assessment of the relationship between the reaction time, age, gender, and body mass index of people with grip and pinch strength. J Health Syst Res. 2019;14(4):473–9.
44. Choudhary AK, Jiwane R, Alam T, Kishanrao SS. Grip strength and impact on cognitive function in healthy kitchen workers. Achievements Life Sci. 2016;10(2):168–74.
45. Chilima DM, Ismail SJ. Nutrition and handgrip strength of older adults in rural Malawi. Public Health Nutr. 2001;4(1):11–7.
46. Habibi E, Kazemi M, Dehghan H, Mahaki B, Hassanzadeh A. Hand grip and pinch strength: effects of workload, hand dominance, age, and body mass index. Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(Suppl 1):363–7.
47. Jarit P. Dominant-hand to nondominant-hand grip-strength ratios of college baseball players. J Hand Ther. 1991;4(3):123–6.
48. Bansal N. Hand grip strength: normative data for young adults. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther. 2008;2(2):4–6.
49. MacDermid JC, Tottenham V. Responsiveness of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) in evaluating change after hand therapy. J Hand Ther. 2004;17(1):18–23.
50. Soury S, Habibi E, Zadeh AH. Measuring factors affecting grip strength based on ASHT (American Society of Hand Therapists). J Health Syst Res. 2015;10(4):719–28.
51. Kohli JK, Thukral H. A study on relationship between neck pain and handgrip strength in dentists as an occupational hazard. Int J Health Sci Res. 2018;23(1):23–9.
52. Fayez ES. The correlation between neck pain and hand grip strength of dentists. Occup Med Health Aff. 2014;2(5):1–4.
2. Briggs AM, Woolf AD, Dreinhöfer K, Homb N, Hoy DG, Kopansky-Giles D, et al. Reducing the global burden of musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ. 2018;96(5):366.
3. Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2008;58(6):436–8.
4. Putsa B, Jalayondeja W, Mekhora K, Bhuanantanondh P, Jalayondeja C. Factors associated with reduced risk of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers: a cross-sectional study 2017 to 2020. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1503.
5. Ranasinghe P, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, Rajapakse S, et al. Work-related complaints of neck, shoulder and arm among computer office workers: a cross-sectional evaluation of prevalence and risk factors in a developing country. Environ Health. 2011;10:68.
6. Mueller C, Sauter M, Barthelme J, Liebers F. The association between manual handling operations and pain in the hands and arms in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22:1024.
7. Steinberg U, Klußmann A, Liebers F. Manuelle Arbeit ohne Schaden: Grundsätze und Gefährdungsbeurteilung. Berlin: Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin; 2014.
8. Choi YM. Comparison of grip and pinch strength in adults with dexterity limitations to normative values. Procedia Manuf. 2015;3:5326–33.
9. Almhdawi KA, Mathiowetz V, Al-Hourani Z, Khader Y, Kanaan SF, Alhasan M. Musculoskeletal pain symptoms among allied health professions’ students: prevalence rates and associated factors. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(6):1291–301.
10. Wollesen B, Gräf J, Schumacher N, Meyer G, Wanstrath M, Feldhaus C, et al. Influences of neck and/or wrist pain on hand grip strength of industrial quality proofing workers. Saf Health Work. 2020;11(4):458–65.
11. Boadella JM, Kuijer PP, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH. Effect of self-selected handgrip position on maximal handgrip strength. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005;86(2):328–31.
12. Potvin JR. Predicting maximum acceptable efforts for repetitive tasks: an equation based on duty cycle. Hum Factors. 2012;54(2):175–88.
13. Chammas M, Boretto J, Burmann LM, Ramos RM, Neto FS, Silva JB. Carpal tunnel syndrome – Part II (treatment). Rev Bras Ortop. 2014;49:437–45.
14. Nilsen T, Hermann M, Eriksen CS, Dagfinrud H, Mowinckel P, Kjeken I. Grip force and pinch grip in an adult population: reference values and factors associated with grip force. Scand J Occup Ther. 2012;19(3):288–96.
15. Stenholm S, Tiainen K, Rantanen T, Sainio P, Heliövaara M, Impivaara O, et al. Long-term determinants of muscle strength decline: prospective evidence from the 22-year mini-Finland follow-up survey. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60(1):77–85.
16. Sternäng O, Reynolds CA, Finkel D, Ernsth-Bravell M, Pedersen NL, Dahl Aslan AK. Factors associated with grip strength decline in older adults. Age Ageing. 2015;44(2):269–74.
17. Finneran A, O’Sullivan L. Effects of grip type and wrist posture on forearm EMG activity, endurance time and movement accuracy. Int J Ind Ergon. 2013;43(1):91–9.
18. Massy-Westropp NM, Gill TK, Taylor AW, Bohannon RW, Hill CL. Hand grip strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study. BMC Res Notes. 2011;4:127.
19. Puh U. Age-related and sex-related differences in hand and pinch grip strength in adults. Int J Rehabil Res. 2010;33(1):4–11.
20. Frederiksen H, Hjelmborg J, Mortensen J, McGue M, Vaupel JW, Christensen K. Age trajectories of grip strength: cross-sectional and longitudinal data among 8,342 Danes aged 46 to 102. Ann Epidemiol. 2006;16(7):554–62.
21. Bohannon RW, Peolsson A, Massy-Westropp N, Desrosiers J, Bear-Lehman J. Reference values for adult grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer: a descriptive meta-analysis. Physiotherapy. 2006;92(1):11–5.
22. Kjeken I, Dagfinrud H, Slatkowsky-Christensen B, Mowinckel P, Uhlig T, Kvien TK, et al. Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64(11):1633–8.
23. Hansraj KK. Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surg Technol Int. 2014;25:277–9.
24. Wachter NJ, Mentzel M, Krischak GD, Gülke J. Quantification of hand function by power grip and pinch strength force measurements in ulnar nerve lesion simulated by ulnar nerve block. J Hand Ther. 2018;31(4):524–9.
25. Bepko J, Mansalis K. Common occupational disorders: asthma, COPD, dermatitis, and musculoskeletal disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(12):1000–6.
26. Kiruthika S, Mahesh R, Indhu R. A correlation study to analyze the relationship between neck pain, level of musculoskeletal disorders risk and handgrip strength in desktop workers. Int J Health Sci Res. 2024;14(8):37–46.
27. Abdel Azeem T, Amer SA, Gaafar SE. Prevalence of risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the study participants working at an Egyptian oil and gas company. Int J Environ Stud Res. 2024;3(3):112–28.
28. Ramlagan S, Peltzer K, Phaswana-Mafuya N. Hand grip strength and associated factors in non-institutionalised men and women 50 years and older in South Africa. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:8.
29. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7.
30. Deakin J, Stevenson J, Vail G, Nelson J. The use of the Nordic Questionnaire in an industrial setting: a case study. Appl Ergon. 1994;25(3):182–5.
31. Awotidebe TO, Fasakin OM, Ademoyegun AB, Nwajei CC, Oke KI, Adedoyin RA. Influence of body and hand anthropometric characteristics on handgrip strength in young Nigerian women. Bull Fac Phys Ther. 2023;28(1):35.
32. Reis MM, Arantes PMM. Assessment of hand grip strength—validity and reliability of the Saehan dynamometer. Fisioter Pesqui. 2011;18(2):176–81.
33. Trampisch US, Franke J, Jedamzik N, Hinrichs T, Platen P. Optimal Jamar dynamometer handle position to assess maximal isometric hand grip strength in epidemiological studies. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(11):2368–73.
34. Murugan S, Patel D, Prajapati K, Ghoghari M, Patel P. Grip strength changes in relation to different body postures, elbow and forearm positions. Int J Physiother Res. 2013;1(4):116–21.
35. Osailan A. The relationship between smartphone usage duration with hand-grip and pinch-grip strength among young people: an observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22:1–8.
36. Deros BM, Daruis DD, Ismail AR, Sawal NA, Ghani JA. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers performing manual material handling in an automotive manufacturing company. Am J Appl Sci. 2010;7(8):1087–92.
37. Noroozi MV, Hajibabaei M, Saki A, Memari Z. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. Jundishapur J Health Sci. 2015;7(1):e24872.
38. Russo A, Onder G, Cesari M, Zamboni V, Barillaro C, Capoluongo E, et al. Lifetime occupation and physical function: a prospective cohort study on persons aged 80 years and older living in a community. Occup Environ Med. 2006;63(7):438–42.
39. Saremi M, Rostamzadeh S, editors. Hand dimensions and grip strength: a comparison of manual and non-manual workers. In: Proc 20th Cong Int Ergonomics Assoc (IEA 2018). Cham: Springer; 2019.
40. Josty I, Tyler M, Shewell P, Roberts A. Grip and pinch strength variations in different types of workers. J Hand Surg Br. 1997;22(2):266–9.
41. Werle S, Goldhahn J, Drerup S, Simmen BR, Sprott H, Herren D. Age- and gender-specific normative data of grip and pinch strength in a healthy adult Swiss population. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009;34(1):76–84.
42. Gangopadhyay S, Ghosh T, Das T, Ghoshal G, Das BB. Prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders among brass metal workers in West Bengal, India. Ind Health. 2007;45(2):365–70.
43. Gholamian J, Habibi E, Ordudari Z. Assessment of the relationship between the reaction time, age, gender, and body mass index of people with grip and pinch strength. J Health Syst Res. 2019;14(4):473–9.
44. Choudhary AK, Jiwane R, Alam T, Kishanrao SS. Grip strength and impact on cognitive function in healthy kitchen workers. Achievements Life Sci. 2016;10(2):168–74.
45. Chilima DM, Ismail SJ. Nutrition and handgrip strength of older adults in rural Malawi. Public Health Nutr. 2001;4(1):11–7.
46. Habibi E, Kazemi M, Dehghan H, Mahaki B, Hassanzadeh A. Hand grip and pinch strength: effects of workload, hand dominance, age, and body mass index. Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(Suppl 1):363–7.
47. Jarit P. Dominant-hand to nondominant-hand grip-strength ratios of college baseball players. J Hand Ther. 1991;4(3):123–6.
48. Bansal N. Hand grip strength: normative data for young adults. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther. 2008;2(2):4–6.
49. MacDermid JC, Tottenham V. Responsiveness of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) in evaluating change after hand therapy. J Hand Ther. 2004;17(1):18–23.
50. Soury S, Habibi E, Zadeh AH. Measuring factors affecting grip strength based on ASHT (American Society of Hand Therapists). J Health Syst Res. 2015;10(4):719–28.
51. Kohli JK, Thukral H. A study on relationship between neck pain and handgrip strength in dentists as an occupational hazard. Int J Health Sci Res. 2018;23(1):23–9.
52. Fayez ES. The correlation between neck pain and hand grip strength of dentists. Occup Med Health Aff. 2014;2(5):1–4.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 16 No 4 (2024) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Published | 2025-08-30 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Manual handling Hand Grip Strength Musculoskeletal disorders Neck Pain Wrist Pain | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Paeizi F, Baharlou S, Karimiyan M, Fallahi M. Association Between Neck and Wrist Pain with Hand Grip Strength and Demographic Factors Among Workers of a Petroleum Products Distribution Company in Sabzevar City. Int J Occup Hyg. 2025;16(4):66-75.
