The Bead Maze Hand Function Test for Children.

Importance: There is a need for a pediatric hand function test that can be used to objectively assess movement quality. We have developed a toy-based test, the Bead Maze Hand Function (BMHF) test, to quantify how well a child performs an activity. This is achieved by assessing the control of forces applied while drawing a bead over wires of different complexity.

Dexterity of the Less Affected Hand in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.

Background: To determine if the "unaffected" hand in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is truly unaffected.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of manual dexterity as measured by the Functional Dexterity Test (FDT) in 66 children (39 boys, 27 girls, mean age: 11 years 4 months) with hemiplegic CP. Data were stratified by Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level, birth weight, and gestational age at birth, and compared with previously published normative values.

Persistence of bacterial DNA in orthopedic infections.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been proposed as a method to identify bacteria in clinical samples because it is more sensitive than culture techniques and can produce results rapidly. However, PCR can detect DNA from dead cells and thus cannot distinguish between live and dead cells in a tissue sample. Killed Staphylococcus aureus cells were implanted into the femurs and knee joints of rats to determine the length of time that DNA from dead cells is detectable in a living animal under conditions similar to common orthopedic infections.

Validity and reliability of the Functional Dexterity Test in children.

Study Design: Clinical measurement study.

Introduction: The Functional Dexterity Test (FDT) has not been validated in children.

Purpose Of The Study: To determine reliability and validity of the FDT in a pediatric population.

Contribution of tactile dysfunction to manual motor dysfunction in type II diabetes.

Introduction: Changes in sensory and motor functions of the hand in type II diabetes (T2D) patients have been reported; there is speculation that these changes are driven by tactile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tactile feedback on manual function in T2D patients.

Methods: T2D patients and healthy controls underwent median nerve blocks at the wrist and elbow.