Correlation of Reaction time and Hand dexterity in elderly

Ageing has a major consequence on cognitive and motor function. There is inevitable and irreversible neuron loss, delayed muscle activation and recruitment, reaction time prolongs and neural conduction velocity decreases. Reaction Time is defined as the interval of time between the presentation of the stimulus and appearance of appropriate voluntary response in the subject. With ageing, there is decline in attention, stimulus perception and discrimination and response selection and generation too. As a result of slowing of motor cortex and nerve conduction velocities, there is an increase in latency in Reaction time. Manual dexterity is ability to make coordinated hand and finger movement to grasp and manipulate objects. It is a fine motor skill. With ageing, Accuracy in force control tasks is reduced, isolated finger movements are decline, Variability in finger movements are augmented and motor slowing are observed. Reaction time is also required for adequate balance and postural control. In elderly, the risk of fall is high and on losing balance. Elderly use compensatory approach of grasping objects around, or manipulate objects in the hand to bring back body within stability. If the dexterity is affected, such strategies can’t be used to their full capacity. To assess reaction time, we will be using Deary Liewald Reaction Time Task on a laptop screen, and to assess dexterity nine hole peg test will be used. In this study we aim to find the correlation of reaction time and hand dexterity in elderly. 51 subjects in the population group of 60-80 years, who fulfil the inclusion criteria, will be included in this study. These participants will be assessed for reaction time and hand dexterity. The data collected will be analysed according to the distribution of data using Pearson’s Correlation test or Spearman’s Correlation test.