Aged 65 Years or OlderNCT07033338
The Effect of Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program on Hand Grip Strength and Activities of Daily Living in Elderly Individuals With Dementia: Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program in people with Aged 65 Years or Older and Cognitive Decline, run by Emel Dogan at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
As people age, cognitive functions, muscle mass, and hand strength tend to decrease. Reduced hand grip strength in the elderly can make it harder for them to perform daily tasks such as buttoning clothes, pulling zippers, or opening doors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Aged 65 Years or Older, Cognitive Decline, Dementia
- What is being tested?
- Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2022to 23 Sep 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Clinical diagnosis of dementia (MMSE score between 18-23)
- Age 65 years or older
- Not bedridden Exclusion Criteria
- Advanced osteoarthritis or neurological disorders
- Significant visual/hearing impairment interfering with communication
- Severe depression or behavioral disorder
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Konya Dr. İsmail Işık Nursing Home
Konya, Meram/Konya, 42060
About this study
As people age, cognitive functions, muscle mass, and hand strength tend to decrease. Reduced hand grip strength in the elderly can make it harder for them to perform daily tasks such as buttoning clothes, pulling zippers, or opening doors. These difficulties can lead to a reduced quality of life and increased need for assistance and institutional care. Activities of daily living (ADL) are a key indicator of an older adult's ability to live independently.
This study aimed to examine whether an occupational activities and finger exercise program helps improve hand grip strength and the ability to perform daily tasks among older adults with mild dementia. The program includes hand and finger exercises combined with creative and functional tasks such as sewing, painting, and using tools. Supporting physical and cognitive function through such activities may help improve the independence and well-being of elderly individuals living in institutions.
Read the detailed description
The study was planned as a randomized, parallel-group experimental design. It was conducted in Konya Dr. İsmail Işık Nursing Home. Fifty randomly selected individuals who were over 65 years of age, not bedridden, and who agreed to participate voluntarily were included in the study.
Pre-tests After the individuals included in the study group were informed about the study and gave their consent, pre-test applications (information form, Barthel Index, and hand and finger grip strength measurement) were performed. The hand and finger grip strength measurements and data collection were performed by an independent physiotherapist who was experienced in this field. The measurements and data collection were performed in the rooms of elderly individuals with dementia who stayed in a private room, while others were evaluated in a separate room.
Post-tests Post-tests (Barthel Index and hand and finger grip strength measurements) were carried out at the end of the 8th week by the same independent physiotherapist. The post-tests were also performed in the rooms of elderly individuals who stayed in a private room, while the others were in a separate room.
Intervention A pastime activities and finger exercise program was applied to the experimental group 3 times a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the program, post-test evaluations for hand grip strength and daily life activities in both the experimental and control groups were performed simultaneously. The data obtained as a result of the measurements - numbers, percentages, mean, minimum and maximum values - were analyzed using the independent groups t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, and Shapiro-Wilk test for normal distributions. Ethics committee approval and institutional permission have been obtained for the study.
- Conditions
- Aged 65 Years or Older, Cognitive Decline, Dementia
- Being tested
- Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Finger exercise, Elderly, Occupational activities, Hand grip strength, Activities of daily living, Dementia
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction, Dementia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise ProgramBehavioural
The intervention group received the program three days a week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), once daily, with sessions held from 10:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 14:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon. The participants were divided into two subgroups (13 participants in the first group, 12 in the second). The intervention consisted of a combined occupational activities and finger exercise program. Each session began with finger exercises, followed by occupational activities. The finger exercises involved movements requiring the participation of the fingers, hands, and arms, and were performed in 10 progressive steps. These movements were designed to promote engagement without causing fatigue or discomfort in elderly participants. Occupational activities included threading beads, completing line patterns, sewing buttons, assembling wooden blocks, performing cutting exercises, limited painting, dough manipulation, cutting and gluing, wrapping rope, tying rope between two points, stack
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | The intervention group was composed of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden The intervention group was composed of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden. A total of 25 out of 50 participants were randomly assigned to this group. The intervention included a structured program of occupational activities and finger exercises implemented 3 days per week for 8 weeks, aiming to improve hand grip strength and activities of daily living. The intervention was delivered by trained healthcare staff, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Receives: Behavioral: Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program |
| Control Group | No intervention | The control group consisted of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden. A total of 25 out of 50 participants were randomly assigned to this group. Participants in this group did not receive any intervention and continued with their usual care routines. They were evaluated at the same time points as the intervention group to compare outcomes such as hand grip strength and daily living activities. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Measurement of hand and finger grip strength in elderly individuals using digital dynamometer
Hand grip strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer to evaluate upper extremity muscle performance. The test was performed on the dominant hand while the participant was in a seated position with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. Three attempts were recorded, and the highest value (in kg) was used in the analysis.A pinchmeter is used to measure finger grip strength. Finger grip strength measurement should be performed while the individual is sitting on a chair, in the standard position recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (AETD); sitting position, shoulder adduction and elbow 90° flexion. In the test procedure, 3 measurements should be taken for finger grip strength with one minute intervals between each measurement and the averages should be recorded (American Society of Hand Therapists). Measurements were taken at baseline (prior to the intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention.
Measured: Baseline and at 2 months (post-test)
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - Standardized Questionnaire
The level of independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the Barthel Index. The aim was to assess the functional performance of elderly individuals in both the intervention and control groups. The difference in ADL scores between the groups was analyzed to determine the effect of the occupational activity and finger exercise program on daily living functions. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and at 2 months (post-test)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2022
- Primary completion23 Sep 2022
- Study completion23 Sep 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Aged 65 Years or OlderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Emel Dogan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Gazi University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Emel Dogan, Selcuk University
- Investigators
- Yeter Kitis, Professor, Principal investigator, Gazi University Faculty of Nursing
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07033338
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Selcuk.Emel.01
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 7 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 1 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is not a plan to make IPD available.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program on Hand Grip Strength and Activities of Daily Living in Elderly Individuals With Dementia: Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07033338
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Selcuk.Emel.01
- Conditions
- Aged 65 Years or Older, Cognitive Decline, Dementia
- Keywords
- Finger exercise, Elderly, Occupational activities, Hand grip strength, Activities of daily living, Dementia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Emel DoganUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Gazi University
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Sep 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
As people age, cognitive functions, muscle mass, and hand strength tend to decrease. Reduced hand grip strength in the elderly can make it harder for them to perform daily tasks such as buttoning clothes, pulling zippers, or opening doors. These difficulties can lead to a reduced quality of life and increased need for assistance and institutional care. Activities of daily living (ADL) are a key indicator of an older adult's ability to live independently.
This study aimed to examine whether an occupational activities and finger exercise program helps improve hand grip strength and the ability to perform daily tasks among older adults with mild dementia. The program includes hand and finger exercises combined with creative and functional tasks such as sewing, painting, and using tools. Supporting physical and cognitive function through such activities may help improve the independence and well-being of elderly individuals living in institutions.
Detailed description
The study was planned as a randomized, parallel-group experimental design. It was conducted in Konya Dr. İsmail Işık Nursing Home. Fifty randomly selected individuals who were over 65 years of age, not bedridden, and who agreed to participate voluntarily were included in the study.
Pre-tests After the individuals included in the study group were informed about the study and gave their consent, pre-test applications (information form, Barthel Index, and hand and finger grip strength measurement) were performed. The hand and finger grip strength measurements and data collection were performed by an independent physiotherapist who was experienced in this field. The measurements and data collection were performed in the rooms of elderly individuals with dementia who stayed in a private room, while others were evaluated in a separate room.
Post-tests Post-tests (Barthel Index and hand and finger grip strength measurements) were carried out at the end of the 8th week by the same independent physiotherapist. The post-tests were also performed in the rooms of elderly individuals who stayed in a private room, while the others were in a separate room.
Intervention A pastime activities and finger exercise program was applied to the experimental group 3 times a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the program, post-test evaluations for hand grip strength and daily life activities in both the experimental and control groups were performed simultaneously. The data obtained as a result of the measurements - numbers, percentages, mean, minimum and maximum values - were analyzed using the independent groups t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, and Shapiro-Wilk test for normal distributions. Ethics committee approval and institutional permission have been obtained for the study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise ProgramThe intervention group was composed of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden The intervention group was composed of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden. A total of 25 out of 50 participants were randomly assigned to this group. The intervention included a structured program of occupational activities and finger exercises implemented 3 days per week for 8 weeks, aiming to improve hand grip strength and activities of daily living. The intervention was delivered by trained healthcare staff, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –The control group consisted of elderly individuals aged 65 years and older who were residing in a nursing home and were not bedridden. A total of 25 out of 50 participants were randomly assigned to this group. Participants in this group did not receive any intervention and continued with their usual care routines. They were evaluated at the same time points as the intervention group to compare outcomes such as hand grip strength and daily living activities. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Clinical diagnosis of dementia (MMSE score between 18-23)
- Age 65 years or older
- Not bedridden Exclusion Criteria
- Advanced osteoarthritis or neurological disorders
- Significant visual/hearing impairment interfering with communication
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise ProgramThe intervention group received the program three days a week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), once daily, with sessions held from 10:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 14:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon. The participants were divided into two subgroups (13 participants in the first group, 12 in the second). The intervention consisted of a combined occupational activities and finger exercise program. Each session began with finger exercises, followed by occupational activities. The finger exercises involved movements requiring the participation of the fingers, hands, and arms, and were performed in 10 progressive steps. These movements were designed to promote engagement without causing fatigue or discomfort in elderly participants. Occupational activities included threading beads, completing line patterns, sewing buttons, assembling wooden blocks, performing cutting exercises, limited painting, dough manipulation, cutting and gluing, wrapping rope, tying rope between two points, stack | Behavioural | Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Measurement of hand and finger grip strength in elderly individuals using digital dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 months (post-test)
Hand grip strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer to evaluate upper extremity muscle performance. The test was performed on the dominant hand while the participant was in a seated position with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. Three attempts were recorded, and the highest value (in kg) was used in the analysis.A pinchmeter is used to measure finger grip strength. Finger grip strength measurement should be performed while the individual is sitting on a chair, in the standard position recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (AETD); sitting position, shoulder adduction and elbow 90° flexion. In the test procedure, 3 measurements should be taken for finger grip strength with one minute intervals between each measurement and the averages should be recorded (American Society of Hand Therapists). Measurements were taken at baseline (prior to the intervention) and after 8 weeks of intervention.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - Standardized Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 months (post-test)
The level of independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the Barthel Index. The aim was to assess the functional performance of elderly individuals in both the intervention and control groups. The difference in ADL scores between the groups was analyzed to determine the effect of the occupational activity and finger exercise program on daily living functions. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is not a plan to make IPD available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Yeter Kitis, Professor principal investigator
Gazi University Faculty of Nursing
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Occupational Activities and Finger Exercise Program in people with Aged 65 Years or Older and Cognitive Decline, run by Emel Dogan at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Measurement of hand and finger grip strength in elderly individuals using digital dynamometer (time frame: Baseline and at 2 months (post-test)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jul 2025.