Investigation of the relationship between upper extremity functions and balance in geriatric individuals

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between upper extremity function and balance in geriatric individuals. Eighty voluntary geriatric individuals with an average age of 69,10 ± 4,20 were included in this study. Physical and sociodemographic characteristics and descriptive characteristics of individuals were recorded. Cognitive functions were evaluated by Mini Mental State Test; upper extremity functions were evaluated by Jamar Hand Dynamometer, Nine Hole Peg Test, Purdue Pegboard Test and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT); balance were evaluated by Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, Standing Balance on One Leg Test and Biodex Balance System. The individuals' quality of life was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life Old module. According to the results of the study, there was a significant relationship between right side grip strength and balance tests except Biodex Anteroposterior Static Balance Result (APSBR) and left side grip strength and Biodex dynamic measurements (p <0.05). Significant correlation was found between the results of Peg Tests and Berg, Tinetti and One Leg Standing Balance Test results (p <0.05), Purdue Pegboard Test and Berg, Tinetti and One Leg Standing Balance Test results (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between the Peg Tests right-sided insertion scores and all Biodex results, the right-sided subtraction scores and the Mediolateral Static Balance Result (MLSBR) and Overall Stability Dynamic Balance Result (OSDBR) (p <0.05). There was a significant relationship between Peg Test left-sided insertion scores and Biodex results with except anteroposterior measurements (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between left-sided subtraction scores of Peg Tests and only OSDBR from Biodex results (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between Purdue Pegboard Test 2 scores and Biodex except for anteroposterior results (p <0.05). There was a significant relationship between Purdue Pegboard Test 3 scores and Biodex only between OSDBR and Mediolateral Dynamic Balance Result (MLDBR) (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between Purdue Pegboard Test 4 scores and Biodex except APSBR (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between Purdue Pegboard Test 5 scores and Biodex only with dynamic measurements (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between JTHFT 1 score and Berg and right JTHFT 4 scores and all Berg, Tinetti and One Leg Standing Balance Test results except for right-sided One Leg Standing Balance Test result (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between JTHFT 1 results and Biodex only with static measurements (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between JTHFT 2 results and Biodex with the right side and Overall Stability Static Balance Result (OSSBR) and APSBR and left side with all static results (p <0.05). A significant relationship was found between JTHFT 3 results and Biodex except APSBR on the right side (p <0.05). On the left side there was a significant relationship with Anteroposterior Dynamic Balance Result (APDBR) and MLDBR (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between JTHFT 4 score and Biodex scores except APSBR (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between left side JTHFT 4 score and Biodex results except OSSBR, APSBR and OSDBR (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between JTHFT 5 score and Biodex except for OSDBR (p <0.05). There was a significant relationship between left side JTHFT 5 score and Biodex results except MLSBR and OSDBR (p <0.05). A significant correlation was found between the right side JTHFT 6 score and Biodex results with OSSBR and MLSBR (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between left side JTHFT 6 score and Biodex results with OSSBR, MLSBR and MLDBR (p <0.05). There was a significant correlation between MLSBR and left JTHFT 7 score (p <0.05). In addition, there was no significant relationship between upper extremity functions and quality of life (p> 0.05). In line with these results, upper extremity functions of elderly individuals is an important factor affecting the balance.