EFFECTIVENESS OF A PREVENTIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM IN STRENGTH THE COORDINATION OF THE OLD HAND

Abstract

 We have developed this work with the double purpose of, on the one hand, Analyse objectively and qualitatively the affectation degree that the own process of aging originates on the strength and the coordination of the hand. And on the other hand, to evaluate if a preventive program of Physiotherapy, designed for such aim, could have an effect in these two variables that influence the functionality of the upper limb and in the quality of life of the gerontological population.  We have followed a cause experimental design by means of a not randomized controlled clinical test. The sample has been constituted by two groups of elderly (experimental and control) from two different centers. In one of them, the program of preventive Physiotherapy has been carried out during six months, whereas in the other it has not. The measurements of the strength and coordination taken before and after the program in both groups, has allowed us to compare the differences intergroup and intragroup.
 The analysis of the results obtained through the nonparametric U test of Mann-Whitney, using statistical program SPSS, indicates the existence of significant differences between the control and the experimental group. So, it can be deduced that the program designed of preventive Physiotherapy is effective increasing the strength and the coordination of the hand in the elderly.