Upper extremity performance test for the elderly (TEMPA): normative data and correlates with sensorimotor parameters. Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Agées

Abstract

Objectives: Objectives of this study were to develop normative data for the Test d'Evaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Agées (TEMPA) and determine its relation to upper extremity sensorimotor parameters such as fine and gross dexterity, coordination, strength, endurance, range of motion, and several types of sensibility.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community-dwelling subjects.

Participants: Three hundred sixty healthy subjects randomly recruited by age and sex strata (60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 or older).

Main outcome measures: Length of execution of the tasks in the TEMPA.

Results: Normative data are reported by gender and age group. The time taken to execute the tasks increased significantly with age. The women were faster on the tasks requiring a higher degree of fine dexterity, whereas the task requiring a lesser degree of fine dexterity and sensibility and more grip strength was accomplished faster by the men. Subjects who were more active and described themselves as being in excellent or good health performed better.

Conclusion: The norms will help clinicians differentiate better between normal and pathological aging in upper extremity performance.