Estimation of Hand Breadth from Breadth of Index Finger
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.03.11Keywords:
Index Finger Proximal Hand Breadth, Distal Hand Breadth, Proximal Interphalangeal Joint, Distal Interphalangeal JointAbstract
Background: Abundant research has been done in different populations to find the correlation between stature and various hand parameters, but minimal information is available to predict the hand breadth from the breadth of the fingers.
Material and methods: The present study was conducted on 140 subjects (84 male and 56 female) in the age group of 20-40 year. Hand breadth was measured, at two levels with the help of sliding caliper as straight distance: a. from the inferior margin of base of thumb to the ulnar border of the hand as Proximal Hand Breadth (PHB) and b.from radial side of second to ulnar side of fifth metacarpophalangial joint crease as Distal Hand Breadth (DHB). Breadth of index finger: It was measured at two levels as straight distance with the help of spreading calliper: a. At Proximal interphalangial joint breadth (PIPJ) and b. At distal interphalangial (DIPJ) joint. Data was Collected and statistical analysis done using Software “SPSS 20”. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of hand breadth at PHB and DHB and breadth of index finger at PIPJ and DIPJ for male and female were recorded. Pearson correlation test was applied to look for the association of hand breadth of subjects with their index finger breadth. Linear regression analysis was also performed to generate predictive regression equations to predict the hand breadth from the breadth of index finger of the subjects. Weak to moderate correlation was observed between hand breadth and breadth of index finger in males and females respectively. Analysis showed that index finger breadth both at PIPJ and DIPJ can be used for determination of hand breadth both at PHB and DHB in females whereas; in males PIPJ breadth can be used to determine hand breadth at DHB better.
Conclusion: It was concluded that though all the predictors have significant effect on dependent variables in both males and females but the coefficient correlation (r) was moderately higher amongst females than male subjects.
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