Normative values and the influence of sex, hand dominance, and direction of movement on active wrist joint position sense in young healthy adults

Background: Active wrist joint position sense (JPS) is a feasible method for determining wrist proprioception. However, the normative values and factors affecting wrist JPS are not known. Objectives: To identify normative values of active wrist JPS in young healthy adults and explore the influence of sex, hand dominance and direction of wrist movement. Design: Cross-sectional study. Method: JPS of 100 individuals aged 18–40 years, (male: female = 51:49) were measured at two wrist positions (20° flexion/extension) using the active wrist JPS test. Absolute error (in degrees) was calculated and summarized using descriptive measures. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was performed to determine the differences in JPS error based on sex, dominance and direction of wrist movement. Results: Mean absolute JPS flexion error on the dominant side was 3.47°(SD = 3.91°), and non-dominant side was 3.26°(SD = 3.23°). Mean absolute JPS extension error on the dominant side was 3.35°(SD = 3.43°), and non-dominant side was 4.59°(SD = 4.82°). Compared to males, females had more absolute error for flexion and extension on the dominant side. No significant difference was found in the absolute error between the dominant and non-dominant sides or between flexion and extension. Conclusion: These normative values of active JPS in young healthy adults can help clinicians while assessing proprioceptive impairments of the wrist. Differences in JPS errors due to sex were found, but not due to dominance or direction of movement. These findings can guide future research on mechanisms involved in wrist JPS.