The Effects of Aging on Upper Limb Function
a. Bilateral Force Coordination in the Elderly
The ability to precisely control force generation during bilateral hand tasks can be particularly challenging for older individuals. These studies examine bilateral force coordination during tasks involving different types of force production (grasp versus pinch) and having different temporal requirements in terms of force onset and offset.
- Grasp Force Modulation During Bimanual Tasks in Young and Elderly Adults.
2003 Society for NeuroScience: Abstract & Poster
- The Effects of Sensorimotor "Memory" and Handedness on Grasp Force Matching Ability
2004 Society for Neuroscience: Abstract & Poster
b. Age-Related Changes in Limb-Posture Coordination
During reaching from a standing position, the central nervous system must maintain trunk stability through anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) which occur prior to limb movement. An impaired ability to produce APAs during reaching can lead to loss of balance and falls, particularly in older individuals. In these studies, we focus on the coordination between center of pressure excursion and arm movement kinematics as a function of age, target location, and limb dominance. . |
 |
- Effects of Auditory Cueing on Sequential Reach and Grasp Movements in Elderly and Parkinson's Disease Subjects
2003 Society for Neuroscience: Abstract & Poster
- Coordination of Center of Pressure Excursion and Hand Path During Sequential Reaching in Young and Elderly Subjects
2004 Society for Neuroscience: Abstract & Poster
c. Age-Related Changes in Upper Limb Proprioceptive Acuity
| Changes in motor function as a result of the aging process are well documented yet our understanding of proprioceptive deficits are remarkably poor. Most studies examining age-related sensory loss have focused on the lower limb despite the importance of upper limb function in many activities of daily living. This project examines changes in upper limb proprioceptive acuity in older adults using grasp force and position matching paradigms in which the need for proprioceptive memory and interhemispheric transfer of proprioceptive feedback can be manipulated. In addition, the effects of general physical activity levels on proprioceptive acuity will also be examined. (Funded by UM- NSF ADVANCE Award, National Institute on Aging) |  |
- Upper Limb Proprioceptive Acuity in the Elderly: The Effects of Physical Activity and Hand Preference
2005 Gerontological Society of America: Abstract & Poster
d. Sensory Facilitation of Upper Limb Movements in the Elderly and in Parkinson's Disease
Slowness of voluntary movement coupled with impaired control of movement sequences characterize degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and may compromise functional activities in older, but otherwise healthy, individuals. Sensory facilitation of locomotor function has been documented in a variety of disease conditions but little research has been conducted on upper limb control. This study examines the effectiveness of sensory cueing on upper limb coordination and balance control in healthy elderly individuals and persons with Parkinson's Disease. Auditory stimuli are used as external timing cues for rhythmic reach and grasp movements made from a standing position. Postural stability (center of pressure), arm trajectory (3-D kinematics) and grasp control (force production) are analyzed with a particular emphasis on the temporal coordination of trunk, arm, and hand movement. Preliminary results indicate that auditory cueing of repetitive arm reaching movements made from standing improves motor coordination in PD. Thus, sensory pacing of motor tasks may be an effective means of maintaining or even improving functional ability in individuals with chronic movement disorder conditions.
