Handuse

Handuse refers to the activity and skill of using the hands to manipulate objects, perform tasks, and communicate. In professional and everyday contexts, handuse encompasses dexterity, tactile perception, grip strength, precision, and the coordination of one or both hands. The term is used in ergonomics, occupational therapy, and human–computer interaction to emphasize hand-specific aspects of task performance, separate from broader arm movement.

Assessment of handuse typically involves standardized tests of manual dexterity and strength, such as the Nine-Hole Peg Test, Purdue Pegboard, and grip dynamometry. In research, researchers may employ motion capture, electromyography, and haptic sensing to analyze movement quality, coordination, force control, and sensorimotor integration. Handuse is understood as a product of planning, perception, and motor execution, influenced by fatigue, fatigue, age, handedness, and task context.

Applications span rehabilitation, design, and performance. In rehabilitation, improving handuse is central to recovery after hand injury or stroke, and in occupational therapy to restore functional independence. In design, understanding handuse guides the creation of tools, interfaces, and assistive devices that are comfortable, efficient, and safe. Performance domains such as music, sports, and crafts rely on refined handuse for technique and precision. In robotics and human–computer interaction, measurements of handuse inform prosthetic control schemes, teleoperation interfaces, and the development of haptic feedback.

Notes on terminology and scope: handuse is a term used in some domains to focus specifically on hand-related capabilities. It is not universally standardized, and its exact meaning can vary with context.