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

SummaryBackgroundAging 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.MethodsThe 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).ResultsThe 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).ConclusionThese 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.