Hand muscle synergy in chopstick use: effect of object size and weight

Abstract

This study explains the role of muscle coordination in chopstick manipulation and investigates the effects of object width and weight on intrinsic and extrinsic hand muscle activity when picking up objects with chopsticks. Surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of the intrinsic and extrinsic hand muscles when picking up objects of varying widths and weights using chopsticks. The results revealed coordinated muscle activity patterns in the intrinsic and extrinsic hand muscles and coordination between them during chopstick manipulation. Object widths varying between 1 and 3 cm did not significantly affect muscle activity; however, object weight influenced muscle activity during both chopstick closing and object grasping, with greater muscle activity in the 40 g condition than in the 10 g condition. Intrinsic hand muscles were found to be involved in object grasping, regardless of object weight. These findings suggest that object weight should be considered when practicing picking up objects with chopsticks in scenarios resembling daily dining, to prevent excessive muscle activity during rehabilitation.