The general purpose of the paintbrush grip is to improve the manner in which a paintbrush is held and used. When used on a paintbrush, it allows for optimal alignment of the joints of the fingers, and thumb and positions the paintbrush close to the axis of movement of the user’s hand at the user’s wrist joint.

Neutral alignment of the joints of the fingers, thumb and hand is represented by the following ranges of joint positions: Forty five degrees of flexion at the metacarpal phalangeal joints, 30-45 degrees of flexion at the proximal inter phalangeal joints, 10-20 degrees of flexion at the distal inter phalangeal joints of the fingers. It incudes partial abduction and opposition of the of the first carpal metacarpal joint and 10 degrees of flexion at the first metacarpal phalangeal joint and 5 degrees of flexion at the inter phalangeal joint of the thumb. This neutral alignment creates the optimal position for the balanced activation of the intrinsic muscles of the hand and extrinsic flexor muscles of the forearm that are recruited or activated when gripping and using a paintbrush. This neutral positioning result in decreased stress and strain on the intrinsic muscles of the hand resulting in less fatigue and cramping of these muscles when using a paintbrush.

Placing the center of mass of the handheld instrument close to the point of movement of the hand at the wrist joint decreases the amount of torque created by the hand held instrument at point of movement of the hand around the user’s wrist. Decreasing the torque created by the handheld instrument decreases the amount of work required of the muscles of the hand and forearm resulting in decreased fatigue of these muscles when gripping and using the paintbrush.

Several types of gripping devices for paintbrushes are available. These include modified handles that are integral to the paintbrush and devices that attach to the paintbrush or the handle of the paintbrush. These other devices do not positions the joints of the fingers of the hand in optimal alignment nor do they position the center of mass of the handheld instrument close to the point of movement of the hand at the wrist joint.

The paintbrush grip is constructed of closed cell foam which creates a comfortable gripping surface. It is made using injection moulding which makes it easy to manufacture. The paintbrush grip would be used by anyone who uses a paintbrush wants to eliminate the fatigue and discomfort experienced in the hand when doing so.