Intervention study of finger-movement exercises and finger weight-lift training for improvement of handgrip strength among the very elderly

Objectives:To examine the effects of finger-movement exercises and finger weight-lift training on handgrip strength and Activities of Daily Living Scale(ADLS)values.Methods:A total of 80 very elderly adults(aged
80 years)were assigned to either an intervention group(n?40)or a control group(n?40).Subjects in the intervention group performed finger-movement exercises and weight-lift training for a period of 3 months,while subjects in the control group received no intervention,and were unaware of the interventions received in the other group.Results:After completing 3 months of finger-movement exercises and weight-lift training,the average handgrip strength of the 40 participants in the intervention group had increased by 2.1 kg,whereas that in the control group decreased by 0.27 kg(P<0.05).After receiving intervention,the number of subjects in the intervention group with an ADLS score>22 points decreased by 7.5%(P<0.05,vs.pre-intervention).Conclusions:The combined use interventionwith finger-movement exercises and proper finger weight-lift training improved the handgrip strength andADLS values of very elderly individuals.These rehabilitation exercisesmay be used to help the elderlymaintain their self-care abilities.