Packaging--a problem for patients with hand disorders? A cross-sectional study on the forces applied to packaging tear tabs.

INTRODUCTION Patients with hand disorders frequently experience difficulties opening peelable packaging. PURPOSE To investigate the forces patients can apply to tear tabs and to compare the results with normative data to make recommendations for the industry and clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional. METHODS One hundred patients with hand disorders were studied. The pinch pull force (PPF) applied to tear tabs of different lengths and materials (aluminum, plastic) was measured with a specially designed device. Key pinch was measured with a pinch gauge. Normative data were taken from another study on 402 healthy adults. RESULTS Patients were able to apply most force to the longest aluminum tab, using the key grip, but this was only 53% of the force exerted by healthy people. Key pinch determines PPF (R(2)=0.548, p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS Manufacturers should provide long aluminum tear tabs. Health professionals are encouraged to measure key pinch to detect difficulties in opening packages. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.