Investigating the Effect of Protective Gloves on Hand Dexterity and Discomfort: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Many tasks in diverse work environments require the use of hands, making protective gloves essential for workers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using protective gloves on hand dexterity and local discomfort. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 22 male university students aged 20 to 36 years. Participants wore four common types of cut-resistant gloves: nitrile-coated (A), gel-coated (B), latex-coated (C), and nitrile- foam--coated (D); research variables were then collected. Overall hand dexterity was assessed using the Bennett test, with the time taken to complete the test scenario recorded in seconds as a measure of overall manual dexterity. Local discomfort in the hand was evaluated using the Localized Perceived Discomfort (LPD) questionnaire. The effects of glove use on hand dexterity and local discomfort were analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS software. Findings: The highest overall hand dexterity was observed when using glove D, while the lowest was with glove A. However, there was no statistically significant difference in overall hand dexterity among the different gloves (P = 0.36). The highest levels of local discomfort were reported when working with glove B (mean = 0.954) and glove A (mean = 0.542). A statistically significant difference in local discomfort was found between the gloves (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Latex-coated (C) and nitrile-foam-coated (D) gloves demonstrated superior performance compared to the other gloves, owing to their ergonomic design, optimal friction, and breathable materials. Therefore, when selecting gloves, it is important to consider the material composition, flexibility, and comfort during work. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.