Predicting hand function in older adults: evaluations of grip strength, arm curl strength, and manual dexterity.

BACKGROUND: Hand function is critical for independence in activities of daily living for older adults. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine how grip strength, arm curl strength, and manual dexterous coordination contributed to time-based versus self-report assessment of hand function in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Adults aged ≥60 years without low vision or neurological disorders were recruited. Purdue Pegboard Test, Jamar hand dynamometer, 30-second arm curl test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument were administered to assess manual dexterous coordination, grip strength, arm curl strength, time-based hand function, and self-report of hand function, respectively. RESULTS: Eighty-four adults (mean age = 72 years) completed the study. Hierarchical multiple regressions show that older adults with better arm curl strength (ß = -.25, p < .01) and manual dexterous coordination (ß = -.52, p < .01) performed better on the time-based hand function test. In comparison, older adults with better grip strength (ß = .40, p < .01), arm curl strength (ß = .23, p < .05), and manual dexterous coordination (ß = .23, p < .05) were associated with better self-report of upper extremity function. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between grip strength and hand function may be test-specific. Grip strength becomes a significant factor when the test requires grip strength to successfully complete the test tasks. Arm curl strength independently contributed to hand function in both time-based and self-report assessments, indicating that strength of extrinsic muscles of the hand are essential for hand function.

A revision of PassifloraL.subgenusDecaloba(DC.) Rchb.supersectionCieca (Medik.) J. M. MacDougal & Feuillet (Passifloraceae).

PassiflorasubgenusDecalobasupersectionCieca is a monophyletic group of herbaceous to woody climbers found in subtropical and tropical regions of the world. The 19 species recognized here are primarily distributed in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Two species, Passiflorasuberosa and Passiflorapallida, are also naturalized in various regions of the Old World. The species of the supersection are recognized by their small, apetalous, usually greenish flowers with the filaments of the corona mostly in two series. The plants commonly lack c-glycosylflavones but possess flavonol 3-O-glycosides. The supersection contains two problematic species complexes, Passiflorasuberosa and Passifloracoriacea. Phylogenetic relationships within supersection Cieca are investigated by means of phenetic and cladistic analyses of morphological and molecular (ITS 1 & 2) characters. The morphological and molecular data sets were analyzed separately because of incongruity due to taxon sampling and the complicated evolutionary history of entities within the Passiflorasuberosa complex. All analyses confirm the monophyly of the supersection. They also show that the Passiflorasuberosa complex is a non-monophyletic group of cryptic species, and inter-taxic hybridization and polyploidy have contributed to the confusing and complex pattern of variation evident within the group. Four taxa that were formerly included in this complex are recognized: Passiflorapallida, Passiflorasuberosasubsp.suberosa, Passiflorasuberosasubsp.litoralis, and Passifloratridactylites. On the basis of molecular and morphological data, three species from the Passifloracoriacea complex are recognized: Passifloracoriacea, Passiflorasexocellata, and Passifloramegacoriacea. A key, detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations are included in the revision. Pollination, dispersal, and herbivory of the group are reviewed. The distribution and ecology of the species within the supersection are also discussed.

A comparison of embedded total task instruction in teaching behavioral chains to massed one-on-one instruction for students with intellectual disabilities: accessing general education settings and core academic content.

This study is a comparison of the embedded instruction of behavioral chains with more traditional (one-on-one massed trials in special education setting) instructional procedures for teaching behavioral chains to students with significant cognitive disabilities. Although embedded instruction has emerged as a promising potential instructional procedure, no literature has examined the efficacy of embedded instructional procedures to teach more complex chained behaviors. To date, all research on embedding instruction in general education settings has focused on teaching discrete skills. This study compares instruction of embedded total task chains with more traditional (one-on-one massed trials in special education setting) instructional procedures for teaching behavioral chains. The chains targeted for instruction were selected by state core educational needs and functional skill development.