Date Presented 4/21/2018
This study established normative data for the Korean Upper Extremity Performance Test for the Elderly. Characteristics of upper extremity function by age and gender were examined.
Primary Author and Speaker: Chang Dae Lee
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because upper extremity function is critical for humans, it is important to measure the exact functional level. In Korea, however, there is a lack of assessment tools able to compare upper extremity function by age and gender (Lee & Jung, 2015). This study examined characteristics of upper extremity function in Korean adults and older adults by age and gender and established clinical normative data for the Korean translation of the Upper Extremity Performance Test for the Elderly (TEMPA; Desrosiers et al., 1993).
METHOD: For this cross-sectional study, data were collected through continuous sampling in Wonju, Korea, from community-dwelling adults and older adults. Participants were 241 people with healthy upper extremity function. Inclusion criteria were no neurological or musculoskeletal deficits that affected upper extremity function, no cognitive impairment, and no trouble following instructions during assessments.
To examine characteristics of upper extremity function, comparisons by age were carried out between the adult group and the older adult group, among the adult group (ages 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, and 50–59), and among the older adult group (ages 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80). Comparisons by gender were conducted in the adult and older adult groups. Normative data were provided by age (20–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80) and gender. Speed of execution was evaluated by independent t test and one-way analysis of variance. Post hoc comparisons were then performed by Scheffé test. Chi-square test was used to evaluate functional rating and task analysis.
RESULTS: For the adult groups, significant differences were found in speed of execution of four tasks between the 50–59 age group and the 20–29 and 30–39 age groups (p < .05). However, no difference was found in functional rating and task analysis among the adult groups. For the older adult groups, significant differences were found in speed of execution among groups (p < .001). There was no difference in functional rating among the groups, and in task analysis items did not show difference among the groups except one item (fine movement).
Between genders in the adult groups, no differences were found in speed of execution, functional rating, and task analysis. In contrast, in the older adult groups, men performed tasks significantly faster than women (p < .01). There was no difference in functional rating, and in task analysis items did not show difference except one item (fine movement).
CONCLUSION: The adult groups performed at a higher level than the older adult groups. In addition, no significant difference was found in performance level in the adult groups by age; however, length of execution increased with age in the older adult groups. There was no significant difference in performance level by gender in the adult group, but men maintained higher performance levels than women in the older adult group. Norms for length of execution were established on the basis of the collected data.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This study provides evidence that the Korean TEMPA can be used to compare upper extremity function in clients on the basis of age and gender. Therefore, this tool can be used in clinical settings and research as evidence based.
References
Desrosiers, J., Hébert, R., Dutil, E., & Bravo, G. (1993). Development and reliability of an Upper Extremity Function Test for the Elderly: The TEMPA. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749306000104
Lee, C. D., & Jung, M. (2015). A study of hand function assessment tools in Korean adults: A review. Journal of Work Ability Association, 1(1), 39–50.
