PTOTOtherJournal of physical therapy science2023

Effects of a seated upper-extremity exercise program designed to improve cognitive and upper-extremity functions in older females.

Ryota Uchida, Takashi Kurosaki, Shigeharu Numao and 1 others

PMID 36744200

WHAT IT FOUND

The seated hand and memory exercise did not improve hand dexterity or grip between groups, but cognitive scores improved compared with controls.

Key findings

01Grip strength, peg-test performance, and trail-making test part B did not show significant between-group differences.

02The change in total MMSE scores over time differed between groups, with the exercise group rising and the control group falling.

03The change in MMSE attention and calculation scores over time differed between groups.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs

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What it does not show

Only older females were included, so the results do not show effects in men. Groups were assigned by region rather than randomised, so regional differences may have affected cognitive function. Only 15 in the exercise group and 16 in the control group were analysed after dropouts and missing items. Two exercise-group and five control-group participants were excluded from post-intervention measurements, and two in each group had missing items. People certified as requiring nursing care, those with severe cognitive impairment, and those with brain or orthopedic conditions that could affect the exercise or measurements were excluded, so it cannot show effects in frail older adults needing care.

Declared interests

None declared.

The easy way to misread this

Do not conclude that the seated program improves hand strength or dexterity. Grip strength and peg-test performance did not show significant between-group differences, and the positive cognitive finding was limited to older women assigned by region.

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