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The relationship of tremor severity with proximal and distal muscle strength and upper extremity functional skills in older adults with essential tremor

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Key summary points

AbstractSection Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between tremor severity and proximal and distal muscle strength, upper extremity functional skills in older individuals with Essential Tremor.

AbstractSection Findings

Older individuals with Essential Tremor have lower muscle strength both proximal and distal upper extremity muscles.

AbstractSection Message

This study will contribute to the literature in terms of determining the affected muscle groups in individuals with ET and including them in the rehabilitation process.

Abstract

Background

Although it is known that muscle strength training is effective in Essential Tremor (ET), it is not known which muscle groups are more affected.

Aim

The study was conducted to examine the relationship between tremor severity and proximal and distal muscle strength and upper extremity functional skills in older adults with ET.

Methods

A total of 40 older adults who were diagnosed with ET (mean age of 74.07 ± 4.83 years) and 40 older adults without tremor (mean age of 70.10 ± 4.05 years) were included in the study. Tremor severity was evaluated with the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (FTMTRS), the proximal muscular strength with digital muscle dynamometer, handgrip strength with hand dynamometer, and pinch grip strength with pinchmeter. The Arm and Shoulder Problems Questionnaire (DASH) was used to determine the functional status of the upper extremities. Fine Manual Dexterity was measured with the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT).

Results

All proximal and distal muscle strengths were significantly lower, DASH and NHPT were significantly higher in the group with ET (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was detected between tremor severity and all proximal and distal muscular strength and a significant positive correlation between tremor severity and DASH in group with ET (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between tremor severity and NHPT in the group with ET.

Conclusions

It was found that older adults who had tremors had low proximal and distal muscular strength, upper extremity functionality was affected and hand skills was impaired. Furthermore tremor severity is affected by both proximal and distal muscle strength.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge all the patients who agreed to participate in this study.

Funding

No funding was received for the support of this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, SANKO University, Gaziantep, Turkey

    Hatice Busra Delier & Arzu Demirguc

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Kahramanmaraş Sutcu Imam University, Ismetpasa Neighbourhood, Emniyet Street, No:2 D:C Block, Dulkadiroglu, 46050, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Zekiye Ipek Katirci Kirmaci & Hatice Adiguzel

Authors
  1. Hatice Busra Delier
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  2. Zekiye Ipek Katirci Kirmaci
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  3. Hatice Adiguzel
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by HBD, ZİKK, HA and AD. The first draft of the manuscript was written by HBD and ZİKK and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zekiye Ipek Katirci Kirmaci.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All experimental procedures were performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Written informed consent was given by each patient.

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Delier, H.B., Katirci Kirmaci, Z.I., Adiguzel, H. et al. The relationship of tremor severity with proximal and distal muscle strength and upper extremity functional skills in older adults with essential tremor. Eur Geriatr Med 14, 381–387 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00766-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00766-1

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