Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive function and
upper extremity function in the elderly. The articles were analyzed based on patient, intervention,
comparison, and outcome using the P.I.C.O. principle.
Methods: We systematically examined papers from January, 2000 to November, 2015 published
papers through the foreign journals which were Medline & Pubmed for three months. mainly
used key words were elderly, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Mild cognitive impairment,
age-related, aging, cognitive, upper extremity function, hand function, hand-grip strength,
grip force, complex motor function, bimanual, dexterity, UE performance, and coordination.
Results: The number of discovered outcomes for association between cognitive function and upper
extremity function in the elderly was 7; grip strength & sex are impact on manipulation
object, 1. The results show that cognitive function is associated with upper extremity function
in the elderly.
Conclusion: This study is expected to help selecting intervention, assessment tools according to
the individual’s degree of cognitive level and upper extremity function. In future domestic
research, variety assessment tools need to be used and more qualitative level experiment will
be carried out.