SOLLERMAN HAND FUNCTION TEST

Purpose

Sollerman Hand function test is used in the assessment of hand functions. It shows the ability and quality of the hand while
performing activities of daily living. The test is highly significant in hand surgery for the assessment of treatments.

Description
Hand Grips Position Percentage use in ADL(%)
Pulp pinch The object is held between the 20
thumb and the index or the
middle finger, or both
Lateral pinch The object is held between the 20
thumb and the radial side of
the index finger
Tripod pinch The object is surrounded by 10
the thumb, index and middle
finger. It may have contact
with the web of the thumb
Five-finger pinch The object is held between the 15
thumb and the four fingers
together. It has no contact
with the palm
Diagonal volar grip The object is held with the
thumb against the four
fingers. It has contact with 15
the palm and its axis is
diagonal to that of the hand
Transverse volar grip The object is held with the
thumb against the four
fingers. It has contact with 14
the palm and its axis is
 transverse to that of the
hand

Spherical volar grip The object is surrounded by

the thumb and the four
fingers and has contact with
the palm
4

Extension grip The object is held between

the thumb and the four
fingers, which are extended 2
in the interphalangeal
joints. It has no contact
with the palm
Sollerman Hand function test was developed on the notion that the prehensile movements of the human hand can be
expressed as variations of basic hand grips.

The eight main hand grips in activities of daily living(ADL) into which a normal grip pattern can be divided.

Sollerman Hand function test includes 20 subtests, each involving an ADL task. The 20 subtests of the Sollerman hand
function test and the prescribed hand grips include:
 Subtest Hand Grips

Put key into Yale lock, turn 90 degrees Pulp pinch, lateral pinch

Pick up coins from flat surface, put into purse mounted on wall Pulp pinch

Open/close purse Pulp pinch, lateral pinch

Pick up coins from purses Pulp pinch

Lift wooden cubes over edge (5 cm in height) Five-finger pinch

Lift iron over edge (5 cm in height) Transverse volar grip

Turn screw with screwdriver Diagonal volar grip

Pick up nuts and put on bolts Pulp pinch, lateral pinch, tripod pinch

Unscrew lid of jars Spherical volar grip

Do up buttons Pulp pinch, lateral pinch

Cut modeling clay with knife and fork Tripod pinch, diagonal volar grip

Put tubigrip stocking on the other hand Lateral pinch, five-finger pinch
 Write with a pen Tripod pinch

Fold paper, put into envelope Five-finger pinch, lateral pinch

Put paper clip on envelope Pulp pinch, lateral pinch

Pick up telephone receiver and put it to the ear Diagonal volar grip

Turn door handle 30 degrees Transverse volar grip

Pour water from 1-L paper milk package Five-finger pinch

Pour water from the jug Transverse volar grip

Pour water from the cup Pulp pinch, lateral pinch

The performance of each subtest is scored on a scale of 0 to 4 points and maximum points to be scored for all 20 tasks is
80points. The scoring system takes notes of the time taken to carry out tasks, the level of difficulty and the quality of hand
performance. Patients with normal hand function would achieve 80 points with the dominant hand and 77-79 points with
the non-dominant hand. The points are graded as follows:
 Score Performance

0 The patient could not carry out the task

1 The task was partially performed within 60 seconds

2 The task was completed, but with great difficulty, or the task was not carried out with the prescribed hand-grip, or the task was
not completed within 40 seconds but within 60 seconds

3 The task was completed, but with slight difficulty, or the task was carried out with the prescribed hand-grip but with slight
divergence from normal, or the task was not completed within 20 seconds but within 40 seconds

4 The task was carried out without any difficulty within 20 seconds and with the prescribed hand-grip of normal quality

Technique

The patient is seated comfortably with the test equipment placed on the table. The tasks are to be carried out in this
position unless when standing is required for the task. Each subtest is timed with a keen observation on the hand function.
Most subtests require the task to be carried out separately by each hand while some require both hands to be used.
Evidence
Sollerman hand function test is easy to perform and reliable. It has been used in the assessment of hand functions in post-
surgical patients with tetraplegic conditions, chronic stroke, after replantation or revascularisation of upper extremity
injuries[5], Dupuytren's contracture and in patients undergoing long term haemodialysis.

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