| Summary: | 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 intervention with finger-movement exercises and proper finger weight-lift training improved the handgrip strength and ADLS values of very elderly individuals. These rehabilitation exercises may be used to help the elderly maintain their self-care abilities.
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