Grasp Patterns

Question 1

Grasp patterns General definition

Answer 1

coordinated movements that the hand uses to pick up and hold objects; affect how people learn and interact with the environment. Have a significant effect on how people participate in functional activities; can influence a person’s level of IND during daily tasks.

Question 2

Gross grasp or cylindrical grasp

Answer 2

Thumb opposition is required

• all fingers and thumb wrap around the handle of the object
• may be impaired by damage of the CMC joint of the thumb (OA diagnosis)

EX: baseball player holding onto bat

Question 3

Power grasp

Answer 3

thumb opposition not required

• variation of cylindrical grasp, used when extra force is required. Thumb helps to stabilize the shaft of the tool rather than opposing the fingers

EX: using a hammer

Question 4

Hook grasp

Answer 4

No thumb opposition required

• finger “hook” around an object, with or without added stability from the thumb

*people with radial nerve palsy can’t form this grasp

EX: used to grab the handle of a briefcase

Question 5

Spherical grasp

Answer 5

Thumb opposition required

• thumb and fingers form a “cup” shape to grasp a round object

EX: used to hold and eat an apple

Question 6

Conoid grasp

Answer 6

Thumb opposition is required

• thumb and fingers oppose to hold a cone-shaped object, with the apex of the cone at the ulnar side of the palm

EX: holding an ice cream cone

Question 7

Lateral pinch

Answer 7

No thumb opposition required

• thumb pushes against the side of the index finger to secure an object

*used to compensate when tip or palmar pinches are weak

*also used to compensate for poor thumb opposition

EX: using a key

Question 8

Palmar pinch (three jaw chuck)

Answer 8

Thumb opposition is required

• thumb opposes against the tips of the index and middle fingers to secure a small object

EX: a child uses palmar pinch to pick up, place and push small building blocks together

Question 9

Tip pinch

Answer 9

Thumb opposition required

• the thumb opposes the tip of a finger, usually, usually the index to secure a small object

EX: picking up a pin

Question 10

Tripod grasp

Answer 10

Thumb opposition required

• a variation of palmar pinch, used to hold writing and drawing tools. The shaft of the tool is held by the tips of the thumb and index finger and stabilized by the side of the middle finger near the PIP joint

EX: holding a pencil for writing

Question 11

Quadrupod grasp

Answer 11

Thumb opposition required

• shaft of the tool is held by the tips of the thumb, index and middle fingers and stabilized by the side of the ring finger near the PIP joint

EX: used to hold a marker while drawing