The relationship of proximal and distal muscle strength and upper extremity functional skills in geriatric individuals with essential tremor

This study was contucted to examine the relationship between proximal and distal muscle strength, upper extremity fonctionality and tremor tremor severity in elderly individuals with Essential Tremor. Forty elderly individuals with Essential Tremor with a mean age of 74.07±4.83 and 40 elderly individuals with a mean age of 70.10±4.05 without tremor were included. Demografic information of the individuals was recorded. To assess tremor, Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale was used. The Arm and Shoulder Prpblems Questionnaire was used to assess functional status in the upper extremity, and Nine Hole Peg test was used for upper extremity functional ability. A digital muscle dynamometer (Power Track II) was used for muscle strength. Distal muscle strength was measured with a pinchmeter. Grip strength was measured with Jamarmeter (Saehan SH5001). Cognitive status was evaluated with the Standartized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT). Depression was evaluated with the Beck Depression Scale (BDS).As a result of data analysis, BMI, dominant hand, exercise habits, smoking and education levels were similar between the study and control groups (p>0.05). However, the mean age of individuals with ET is significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). The number of male cases in the control group was significantly higher than the group with ET (p<0.05). All proximal muscle strengths were significantly lower in the ET group (p<0.05). All distal muscle strengths were significantly lower in the group with ET (p<0.05). When DASH, DDPT and BDI results of the individuals were compared, a significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.05). Individuals with ET in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group in BDI scoring (p<0.05). When tremor severity and proximal and distal muscle strengths were examined in individuals with tremor, a negative significant relationship was found with all forces (p<0.05). When the relationship between tremor severity and DAS, DDPT and BDI in individuals with tremor was examined, a significant positive correlation was found with DASH and BDI (p<0.05). However, the relationship between tremor severity and upper extremity functionality is similar (p>0.05). The relationship between upper extremity functionalty and proximal and distal muscle strength was similar (p>0.05). As a results proximal and distal muscle strength of individuals with tremor decreased and functional hand skills were impaired.