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Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Affects Pinch Strength and Hand Dexterity in Elderly Patients

Objective Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, leading to disability and decreased quality of life. In past research and clinical studies, the lower limb function of DPN patients was often the principal subject of research, with little attention given to the upper limb and hand. Our goal was to assess and compare hand function between elderly diabetic patients with DPN and without DPN. Methods A total of 52 diabetic patients were registered and underwent hand function assessments and electrodiagnostic tests. Dynamometer, pinch meter, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments, and the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) were used to assess the patients' grip strength, pinch strength, tactile sensory threshold, and hand dexterity. Results Compared with the non-DPN group, the elderly DPN group showed worse thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength and thumb-little fingertip pinch strength in the dominant hand (3.50 (2.50, 4.25) vs. 4.50 (3.00, 5.00), p = 0.019; 1.50 (1.00, 2.00) vs. 2.50 (2.00, 3.00), p < 0.001); the elderly DPN group displayed worse thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength, thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength, and thumb-little fingertip pinch strength in the nondominant hand (3.50 (2.00, 4.50) vs. 4.00 (3.00, 5.00), p = 0.013; 2.50 (1.25, 3.00) vs. 3.00 (2.50, 3.50), p = 0.033; 1.00 (0.75, 2.25) vs. 2.50 (2.00, 2.50), p < 0.001). The elderly DPN group scored lower than the non-DPN group on the PPT test of assembly (13.96 ± 5.18 vs. 16.96 ± 4.61, t = 2.212, p = 0.032). Conclusion Motor function limitation is the principal hand dysfunction in elderly patients with DPN, which is mainly manifested as a decline in fingertip pinch strength and a decrease in hand dexterity. This trial is registered with Clinical Trial Registry no. ChiCTR1900025358.


Introduction
China has the largest number of diabetes mellitus cases and the highest annual increases in cases in the world, with 116 million cases nationwide in 2019 [1,2]. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, leading to disability and decreased quality of life, and its incidence increases with the duration of diabetes [3]. Approximately 10% to 15% of patients have signs of neuropathy when they are diagnosed with diabetes, and 50% of diabetics will eventually develop DPN, which could affect 236 million people worldwide by 2030 [4,5].
DPN can affect both sensory neurons and motor neurons and is characterized by decreases in tactile sensitivity, nerve conduction velocity, and motor function in the advanced stages of the disease, which may eventually lead to foot ulcers, amputation, and disability [6,7]. The major symptom of DPN is symmetrical sensory pain affecting the lower limbs [8]. Other manifestations include atypical pain, numbness, and pins-and-needles and hot or burning sensations. Other signs of neuromotor dysfunction include muscle weakness, poor balance, and a tendency to fall [9,10].
With the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the prolongation of the life span of diabetic patients, the prevalence of diabetes in the elderly is rising [11]. Therefore, elderly people are also the main population affected by DPN. Previous researchers have focused on the lower limbs of patients with DPN but ignored the impact of DPN on the hands. A few studies have reported pain, numbness, and even ulcers in the hands of parents with DPN [12,13]. Evidence has suggested that hand function, especially pinch and grip strength, decreases in type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with healthy controls [14]. However, limited studies have focused on sensory and motor function in the hands of elderly patients with DPN. Based on previous studies, we assume that elderly DPN patients have decreased sensory and motor function compared to non-DPN patients. The aim of this study was to document the monofilament tactile sensation, grip strength, pinch strength, and dexterity of the hands of the elderly patients with DPN and to explore the rehabilitation strategies for hand function in DPN patients.

Study Design and
Participants. Data were collected in Jiaozuo People's Hospital, Henan Province, China. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) participants were age 65 years or older with a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for more than 5 years; (2) their blood glucose control was basically stable, and there was no acute complications of diabetes; and (3) informed consent was obtained from all participants. The exclusion criteria included the following: (1) history of stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other central system diseases; (2) history of peripheral nervous system diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome; (3) hands with ulcers, gout, and disability; (4) new fractures and severe muscle atrophy in the hands; (5) habit/history of alcohol abuse; (6) participants with no education; and (7) participants with severe cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≤ 18). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (NO.2019M-006) and the Ethics Committee of Jiaozuo People's Hospital (NO.2019001) and was registered in the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR1900025358). A total of 52 participants who met the above criteria were included ( Figure 1). All participants were included in strict accordance with our standards, and general information, hand function assessment, and electrophysiological diagnosis were gathered from all participants who met the standards in accordance with specific procedures ( Figure 2). All participants were divided into two groups according to whether they had DPN: elderly diabetic patients with DPN (DPN+) and elderly diabetic patients without DPN (DPN-).

General
Information. Data on all participants included age, sex, height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, diabetes duration, and medical history.

Monofilament Tactile Sensation Assessment. Semmes
Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) is often used to assess the tactile sensation function of the hands and feet in patients with DPN [15]. All participants were asked to wear eye masks for the Semmes Weinstein monofilament assessment (Touch Test Complete Hand Kit, North Coast Medical Inc., USA) following a standard testing protocol [16]. We assessed the area innervated by the median, ulnar, and radial nerves: the dorsal area of the first and second metacarpal bones (SWME-1), the tip of the index finger (SWME-2), and the tip of the little finger (SWME-3). Each part was assessed three times, and the minimum tactile threshold that the participant could feel was recorded ( Figure 3).

Grip and Pinch Strength Assessment of Hands.
Grip strength of the participants was assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer (Exacta, North Coast Medical Inc., Gilroy, CA, USA) with participants seated with the shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, and the forearm in the neutral position. We used a mechanical pinch-strength meter (B&L Engineering, CA, United States) to measure the pinch strength between the thumb and the remaining four fingers. The measurement methods were as follows: (1) thumb-index fingertip pinch strength (Pinch-I), (2) thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength (Pinch-M), (3) thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength (Pinch-R), and (4) thumb-little fingertip pinch strength (Pinch-L). Each was measured three times, and the maximum value was recorded.

Assessment of Hand Dexterity.
Hand dexterity is an important manifestation of upper limb motor function. We also assessed fine-motor-skill performance using the previously validated Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT, model 32020, Lafayette Instruments, Lafayette, IN, USA) following a standard testing protocol [17]. Participants were asked to complete four tests: (1) fill in the holes with pegs within 30 seconds with the dominant hand, (2) fill in the holes with pegs within 30 seconds with the nondominant hand, (3) fill in the holes with pegs within 30 seconds with the both hands, and (4) assemble in sequence a peg, a washer, a collar, and finally another washer within 60 seconds. The number of parts completed by participants was recorded.

Nerve Conduction Studies.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are the current gold standard for the diagnosis of DPN [18]. All participants underwent NCS using a standard electromyography (EMG) device (KOHDEN, MEB-9200K, Japan). Testing was performed by a professional technician with more than 10 years of clinical experience in the EMG room, and the entire process was conducted in a special shielded room. There were 32 variables recorded: sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) in the median, ulnar, sural, and superficial peroneal nerves on both sides; motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in the median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves on both sides. We used NCS to diagnose DPN using the criteria for electrodiagnostic confirmation of DPN: an abnormality of any attribute of nerve conduction in two separate nerves, one of which must be a nerve in the lower limbs [19,20]. 2 Neural Plasticity 2.7. Statistical Analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows, version 21.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). All statistics were tested for normal distribution. The contin-uous data of normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables were presented as numbers and percentages (%). An independent sample t-test was used to compare the means of two groups, and a chi-square test was used to compare the percentages. Data of skewed distribution were presented as the median (25th-75th percentile) and tested with the Mann-Whitney U test. A value of p < 0:05 was considered statistically significant.

NCS and Monofilament Tactile Threshold Analysis.
In the NCS results, there were significant differences in the nerve conduction velocities in both hands between the DPN group and the non-DPN group. The results showed that the conduction velocities in the median sensory nerve, median motor nerve, and ulnar sensory nerve in the dominant hand in the DPN group were lower than those in the non-DPN group (p < 0:05). The conduction velocities in the median sensory nerve and median motor nerve in the nondominant hand in the DPN group were lower than those in the non-DPN group (p < 0:05). There were significant differences in four nerve conduction velocities in the lower limbs between the two groups (p < 0:05). The results showed that the median sensory nerve action potential, the peroneal nerve compound muscle action potential, and the tibial nerve compound muscle action potential in the dominant hand/lower limb in the DPN group were lower than those in the non-DPN group (p < 0:05). The median sensory nerve action potential, the median nerve compound muscle action potential, the ulnar sensory nerve action potential, and the peroneal nerve compound muscle action potential in the nondominant hand/lower limb in the DPN group were lower than those of the non-DPN group (p < 0:05). There were no significant differences in the SWME threshold between the two groups (p > 0:05) ( Table 2).

Analysis of Hand Grip and Pinch
Strength. Analysis of hand grip strength of all participants showed no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0:05). The results showed that the thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength and thumb-little fingertip pinch strength of the DPN group were lower than those of the non-DPN group in the dominant hand (p < 0:05). There were no significant differences in the thumb-index fingertip pinch strength and thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength between the two groups in the dominant hand (p > 0:05). The thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength, thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength, and thumblittle fingertip pinch strength of the DPN group were lower than those of the non-DPN group in the nondominant hand (p < 0:05) (Table 3; Figure 4). Table 4 shows PPT differences in the dominant hand, nondominant hand, both hands, and assembly between the DPN group and the non-DPN group. There were no significant differences between the two groups of participants in the PPT test of dominant hand, nondominant hand, and both hands (p > 0:05). The results showed that the DPN group scored lower than the non-DPN group in PPT test of assembly (13:96 ± 5:18 vs. 16:96 ± 4:61, t = 2:212, p = 0:032) (Table 4; Figure 5). SWME-1 SWME-2 SWME-3 Figure 3: The assessment sites for the Semmes Weinstein monofilament examination.

Discussion
The study showed that elderly patients with DPN displayed worse fingertip pinch strength, especially in thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength, thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength, and thumb-little fingertip pinch strength in both dominant and nondominant hands. Weakness in pinch strength may affect the dexterity of the patient's hands.
Sensory function is an important part of hand function. In the past reports, DPN caused sensory impairments such as pain, decreased vibration sensation, and loss of tactile sensation [21,22]. Sensory function is closely related to peripheral nerves. SWME is often used to assess the tactile sensation in patients with DPN [23]. In our study, there were no significant differences between the SWME assessment results of the DPN group and the non-DPN group. A   5 Neural Plasticity possible explanation for this might be that the degree of upper and lower limb nerve damage was not consistent. Liu et al. performed EMG assessment on 700 DPN patients and found that the nerve conduction abnormality in the lower limbs was more serious than that in the upper limbs [24]. In our study, we found that peripheral nerves in the lower limbs seem to be more likely to be affected ( Table 2). This suggests that peripheral neuropathy in the upper limbs of DPN patients was not serious compared with that in the lower limbs. Moreover, the tactile sensation assessed by SWME pertains to large-fiber function [23]. In the early stage of DPN development, the small fibers of the peripheral nerves are damaged first, followed by gradual damage in the large fibers of the nerve [25,26]. This also may explain why SWME could not accurately assess the hand tactile sensation in DPN patients.
Grip strength is a measure of upper limb performance and is closely related to muscle strength, which is considered an important component of physical fitness and a convenient but powerful predictor of disability, morbidity, and mortality in the elderly population [27][28][29]. The results of this study showed no significant differences in hand grip strength between the DPN group and the non-DPN group. This is consistent with the results of Lima et al., which showed that mild to moderate DPN had no significant effect on maximum hand grip strength [30]. The reason for this result might be due to factors such as the older age and the longer diabetes duration in the two groups. In addition, sarcopenia, which is caused by risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, leads to a decrease in skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in older adults [31]. Compared with DPN, sarcopenia might have a greater impact on grip strength.
Pinch strength is the most frequently used hand motor function in activities of daily living, and it is also an important part of hand function. Good pinch strength is conducive to the fine motor movements of the hands. In this study, a fingertip-type pinch strength measurement method was used, and it was found that the hand pinch strength performance of the DPN group was worse than that of the non-DPN group, especially the thumb-middle fingertip pinch strength, thumb-ring fingertip pinch strength, and thumblittle fingertip pinch strength in both hands ( Figure 4). This difference might be due to skeletal muscle atrophy caused by distal peripheral neuropathy, which may lead to the decrease in hand pinch strength in DPN patients. In a prior study, Anderson et al. performed MRI on the lower leg muscles of DPN patients and found that distal muscle atrophy was the most obvious [32]. This kind of skeletal muscle atrophy caused by peripheral neuropathy may be present not only in the lower limbs but also in the upper limbs and hands.
Reduced hand dexterity will directly affect the hand function of the elderly and indirectly lead to the decline in activities of daily living. In this study, we tested hand dexterity using PPT and found no differences between the two groups when DPN patients performed relatively simple hole-filling tasks. When patients performed assembly activities, the DPN group was worse than the non-DPN group ( Figure 5). This result might be explained by the fact that the pinch strength of the patient's hand was decreased, which affected the fine movement and dexterity of the DPN patients' hands. In addition, there is evidence that the cognitive function of DPN patients is worse, mainly in executive function, which may affect the patient's left-right coordination [33]. Because the PPT test requires the patient to have a certain level of cognitive function (executive function) to complete the assembly, the assembly task performance of the DPN group was worse.
In our clinical work, although the lower limb dysfunction of DPN patients was prominent, function problems in the upper limbs and hands could not be ignored. In the future rehabilitation training, the sensory and motor functions of the hands of patients with DPN deserve clinical attention by therapists. In particular, focusing on the patient's hand muscle strength and dexterity may improve the patient's quality of life. There are some limitations in this study. The sample is small and a cross-sectional study with a single source of cases. Therefore, the results obtained may be biased and relatively limited. In the future, large-sample, multicenter research will need to be carried out, and a control group will be set up. In addition, sensory assessment was relatively narrow. We focused only on the tactile sensation of DPN Neural Plasticity patients and did not assess patients' temperature sensation, vibration sensation, and two-point discrimination.

Conclusions
In the elderly, limited motor function is the main hand dysfunction in patients with DPN, which is mostly manifested as a decline of fingertip pinch strength and decrease in hand dexterity.

Data Availability
Datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.