The Influence of Age-related Changes in Tactile Sensibility and Muscular Strength on Hand Function in Older Adult Females

Background: Aging affects the human hand function. For example, a decline in manual dexterity often accompanies old age. This decline corresponds to age-related changes in muscle and/or tactile functions. This study investigated whether age-related changes in muscular strength and tactile sensibility are related to the hand function. Methods: The subjects consisted of 64 older adult females. The hand function was assessed using Perdue pegboard test. The handgrip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Tactile-pressure threshold was evaluated using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. These tests were performed on the dominant hand. All data items were compared among the four age groups (65-69 years, n = 17; 70-74 years, n = 16: 75-79 years, n = 15: 80-85 years, n = 16). Results: The scores on Perdue pegboard test showed significant differences among the four age groups, and they decreased with age. The tactile-pressure threshold was augmented with increasing age, whereas handgrip strength did not differ among the four age groups. A significant relationship was observed between the Perdue pegboard test score and tactile-pressure threshold (r = -0.61), but not the handgrip strength (r = 0.18). Conclusion: These results suggested that the manual dexterity in the hand function was attenuated with increasing age. We considered that this attenuating effect was associated with a decline in tactile sensibility rather than a change in the muscular strength of the hand. Copyright (C) 2010, Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.