title: Factors affecting the results of the functional dexterity test.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify which demographic and anthropometric features affect performance (time) on the functional dexterity test (FDT).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-two healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, and dominant hand) and anthropometric (the girths of the first 3 fingers) variables were recorded, and the FDT (net time and total score) was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hand dexterity (time) was slower in participants aged 60 years (35.7 ± 9.4 seconds) and older compared with those aged 40-59 (27.1 ± 7.2 seconds) years and 20-39 (23.9 ± 4.9 seconds) years (P < .001 for both) in dominant side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference between males (29.1 ± 9 in dominant hands and 30.9 ± 9.5 in nondominant hands) and females (27.9 ± 8.4 in dominant hands and 30.8 ± 8.1 in nondominant hands) in all groups in terms of FDT net time. The factors associated with hand dexterity were age in dominant hands (R2= 0.321) and age and thickness of the second and third fingers in nondominant hands (R2= 0.282).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FDT scores increased with increasing age for both dominant and nondominant hands. Finger thickness, especially in nondominant hands, should be taken into account while evaluating FDT scores because of its negative effect on dexterity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Kınıklı, Denizli, Turkey. Electronic address: drfusunsahin@yahoo.com.tr.
authors.forename: Füsun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Şahin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Kınıklı, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgün Şimşir
authors.initials: NŞ
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Kınıklı, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Islahiye State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aksoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Functional dexterity test; Hand; Hand function; Measurement