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Evaluation of the performance of normal elderly in a limb praxis protocol: Influence of age, gender, and education

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2009

KARLA RODRIGUES CAVALCANTE  and
PAULO CARAMELLI
KARLA RODRIGUES CAVALCANTE
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Taubaté, Taubaté (SP), Brazil Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
PAULO CARAMELLI*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo (SP), Brazil Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Paulo Caramelli, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Alfredo Balena, 190—Room 246, Belo Horizonte (MG) 30.130-000, Brazil. E-mail: caramelp@usp.br
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Abstract

Limb praxis can be influenced by age, gender, and education. The present study investigated the influence of these variables on gesture production by healthy elderly subjects. We evaluated 96 individuals divided into two age groups (60–74 and 75–88 years). Each group contained 48 men and 48 women and was subdivided into four groups according to education: illiterates and 1–3, 4–7, and 8 or more years of education. Individuals were requested to carry out tasks on verbal command and imitation. There were no differences between the performance of men and women, while older individuals performed worse than their younger counterparts. Regarding educational level, three major groups emerged: illiterates, individuals with 1–7 years of education, and those with 8 or more years of education. In conclusion, age and education significantly influenced the performance of individuals in limb praxis tests. (JINS, 2009, 15, 618–622.)

Keywords

ApraxiaGesturesPsychomotor performanceEvaluation studiesEducationAging
Type
Brief Communications
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , July 2009 , pp. 618 - 622
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2009

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