Date of Defense

4-19-2019

Date of Graduation

4-2019

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Maureen Mickus

Second Advisor

Berit Miller

Third Advisor

Nancy Hock

Abstract

Loss of muscle strength is one of the key features of aging. Quality of life is a factor that affects productive aging and loss of muscle strength. A literature review was completed to assess the possible relationship between grip strength and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, as measured through physical health in terms of independence with ADLs/IADLs, physical disability, and mobility. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, publish journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University libraries. Databases used include PubMed, Clinical Keys, the National Institute of Health (NIH), Springer Link, Scopus, BioMed Central, Wiley, and Oxford Academic. The following keywords were used: “grip strength”, “quality of life”, “muscle strength”, “older adults”, “physical health”, “physical functioning”, “functional health”, “functional mobility”, and “frailty”. Based upon the literature reviewed, the greater the grip strength, and more generally muscle strength, the greater the quality of life in older adults. Next, research was completed to find different activities and tools that could be used to improve grip strength in an adult outpatient occupational therapy setting. There are currently many tools and activities available to occupational therapy practitioners to address grip strength in their older clientele to improve quality of life.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Additional Files
VanOmenHonorsThesis.pdf (1169 kB)
Defense Presentation
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