A Study of the Hand Function of Chinese Elderly with and without Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) in Hong Kong

Abstract

This article presents an explorative study of the hand function performance of Chinese elderly with and without a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). A total of 64 subjects (36 male and 28 female) aged between 60 and 85 years were recruited for the study. Their hand function was measured by the Chinese version of the Jebsen Hand Function Test, the Chopsticks Manipulation Test, and grip strength. Results showed that hand function in Chinese elderly with a history of CVA was poorer than hand function in their healthy counterparts. In the unilateral hand function tests, the paretic hands of those with CVA performed more poorly than those without CVA (t-values: 2.257t-7.087; p = 0.05; df = 13, 17). Moreover, the non-paretic hands of those with CVA were also found to have poorer scores in some of the hand tests, namely: writing, turning pages, picking up small objects, simulated feeding, stacking chess pieces, and picking up large light cans (t-values: 2.425-5.928; p = 0.05; df = 13, 17). These results appear to refute the theory that the non-paretic side often has no deficit; hence, it is clinically important to assess the hand functions of both hands for patients with CVA. In order to achieve earlier functional recovery, hand function training programmes for patients should incorporate training of the affected as well as the unaffected hands in patients with CVA.