Bi-planar x-ray videography of the hand during Palaeolithic tool use
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot bi-planar x-ray videography study of the biomechanics of the human hand during Palaeolithic tool use
IRAS ID
245865
Contact name
Tracy L Kivell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Title: A pilot bi-planar x-ray videography study of the biomechanics of the human hand during Palaeolithic tool use
This study will investigate the kinematics and morphology of the human thumb, index finger and associated wrist bones during simulated Palaeolithic tool behaviours used by our fossil ancestors to improve our understanding of the human hand. The human thumb and index finger are key in the precision grasping and manipulation of our daily lives, and are critical regions of morphological change throughout human evolution. However, we know little about the detailed function and kinematics of this complex anatomical region. In this pilot project (a UK first) we will collect integrated bi-planar x-ray videography data on the hand of a small number of healthy human volunteers (N=10) in the new purpose-built bi-planar x-ray facility at the University of Liverpool. All volunteers will be required to sign an informed consent document prior to participation. Each volunteer will perform three different simulated Palaeolithic tool-use behaviours (i.e. stone flake production, cutting with a stone flake, extraction of marrow with a hammerstone) using radio-transparent 3D-printed models of real stone tools, which allow full view of the all joints within the hand. Participants will be seated at a small table, with both their dominant (and when relevant, non-dominant) hand within the centre of the x-ray volume. Each tool task will be completed within a maximum of three seconds of radiation exposure for each trial. These data will provide a detailed morphological and functional understanding of this key anatomical region and serve as the comparative foundation for more informed functional interpretations of fossil human hand morphology and precision grip abilities in other primates.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0537
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion