A simple and inexpensive pinch meter to detect subclinical weakness among leprosy patients

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a neonatal sphygmomanometer cuff as a simple, inexpensive pinch meter. Normal values for key pinch, pulp pinch and side pinch in the dominant hand of healthy Nepali people are provided. The pinch meter was also used to test pinch strength in hands affected by leprosy and normal hands. Some patients with leprosy who have no objective weakness on voluntary muscle testing (VMT) have less pinch strength than people without leprosy. The pinch meter is a useful tool for the early detection of motor function loss.