Thesis (Ph.D)-Cairo University, 2025.

Bibliography: pages 82-94.

Background: Throughout the regular menstrual cycle, women experience
fluctuations in hormonal levels, including estrogen and progesterone. Dentists
often perform repetitive hand movements requiring highly proficient manual
dexterity to skillfully grip and manipulate tools. Hormonal factors have been
suggested to influence female dentists' level of function, thus potentially making
them more vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries than their male counterparts.
Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate female dentists' manual
dexterity and handgrip strength during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Methods: Forty-five healthy female dentists with regular menstrual cycles
participated in this study. Their ages and body mass index were 25–35 years and
18.5–24.9 kg/m2, respectively. The participants' manual dexterity and handgrip
strength were assessed during the menstrual, ovulation, and mid-luteal phases of
the menstrual cycle. Manual dexterity was assessed with various measures of
the Purdue Pegboard Test, including the dominant hand, non-dominant hand,
both hands, total, and assembly tasks. Handgrip strength for both dominant and
non-dominant hands was measured with a handgrip dynamometer.
Results: Statistically significantly higher mean values (P < 0.05) were obtained
for all measures of the Purdue Pegboard Test and handgrip strength during the
ovulation phase compared to the menstrual and mid-luteal phases. In addition,
statistically significantly higher mean values (P < 0.05) were observed for all
measures of the Purdue Pegboard Test and handgrip strength during the
midluteal phase compared to the menstrual phase.
Conclusions: The study findings indicate that the menstrual phase may hinder
proficiency in hand motor functions, such as manual dexterity and handgrip
strength, in female dentists, thus potentially increasing their vulnerability to
future musculoskeletal dysfunction.

شاركت خمس وأربعون طبيبة أسنان لديهن صحة جيدة ودورات شهرية منتظمة في هذه الدراسة. تراوحت أعمارهن ومؤشر كتلة الجسم من 25 إلى 35 عامًا ومن 18.5 إلى 24.9 كجم/م2، على التوالي. تم تقييم مهارتهن اليدوية وقوة قبضتهن أثناء مراحل الحيض، التبويض، ومنتصف الطور الأصفري من الدورة الشهرية. تم تقييم المهارة اليدوية باستخدام المهام المتنوعة من اختبار لوح الربط بوردو لكل من اليد المهيمنة، اليد غير المهيمنة، كلتا اليدين، الإجمالي، والتجميعي. تم قياس قوة قبضة اليد لكل من اليد المهيمنة وغير المهيمنة باستخدام ديناموميتر قبضة اليد. وتشير نتائج الدراسة إلى أن مرحلة الحيض قد تعيق كفاءة وظائف اليد الحركية مثل المهارة اليدوية وقوة قبضة اليد لدى طبيبات الأسنان، مما قد يزيد من احتمالية تعرضهن للاختلال الوظيفي في الجهاز العضلي الهيكلي في المستقبل.

Issues also as CD.

Text in English and abstract in Arabic & English.