Research article summary (published 30 Jan 2003):

The aging hand.

Full Abstract

Hand function decreases with age in both men and women, especially after the age of 65 years. A review is presented of anatomical and physiological changes in the aging hand. The age-related changes in prehension patterns (grip and pinch strength) and hand dexterity in the elderly population are considered. Deterioration in hand function in the elderly population is, to a large degree, secondary to age-related degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal, vascular, and nervous systems. Deterioration of hand function in elderly adults is a combination of local structural changes (joints, muscle, tendon, bone, nerve and receptors, blood supply, skin, and fingernails) and more distant changes in neural control. These age-related changes are often accompanied by underlying pathological conditions (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis, and Parkinson's disease) that are common in the elderly population. Assessment of hand function and prehension patterns is needed in order to determine specific treatment approaches.

Author information

Author/s: Carmeli, Eli (E); Patish, Hagar (H); Coleman, Raymond (R);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. elie(-atsign-)post.tau.ac.il

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 58 (issue 2) : pp 146-52

Dates: Created 2003/02/14; Completed 2003/03/06; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12586852, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living Aged Aged, 80 and over Aging - physiology Female Geriatric Assessment Hand - physiology Hand Strength

Humans Male Motor Skills - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology Quality of Life Risk Assessment Task Performance and Analysis Tendons - physiology

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