By Dave DeFusco
Manual dexterity can serve as an early indicator of cognitive decline in people with Multiple Sclerosis, according to the paper, 鈥淓xploring the Relationship Between Manual Dexterity and Cognition in People with Multiple Sclerosis: 9-Hole Peg and Multiple Cognitive Functions,鈥 in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
, conducted by Katz School researchers and colleagues under the leadership of Dr. Mark Gubesblatt of NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates, found a moderate negative correlation between manual dexterity and cognitive function鈥攂etter manual dexterity was associated with better cognitive performance.
鈥淭hese findings suggest that problems with manual dexterity can predict cognitive impairments in people with MS,鈥 said Dr. Rinu Abraham, the corresponding author and a recent graduate of the Katz School鈥檚 Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. 鈥淭he damage to white matter in the brain, which is common in MS, might explain this link, as white matter is crucial for transmitting information between motor and cognitive regions.鈥
The study involved 63 participants in northeastern United States with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), ages 26 to 55, with a majority, or 71.4%, being female and right-handed (85.7%). The diverse group primarily identified as white American, with small percentages identifying as African American, Hispanic American and other ethnicities.
Participants underwent two standardized assessments to evaluate hand coordination and cognitive abilities鈥攖he 9-hole peg test, which measures manual dexterity by timing how quickly participants can place and remove pegs from holes using both hands (Lower scores indicate better hand function), and NeuroTrax, a comprehensive cognitive assessment tool that evaluates various cognitive abilities, including memory, processing speed, motor skills, attention, verbal function, visuospatial skills and executive function.
鈥淭he 9-hole peg test scores for both hands were significantly correlated with several cognitive subtests,鈥 said Dr. Marissa Barrera, a co-author of the study and program director of the Katz School鈥檚 M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. 鈥淢anual dexterity in the dominant hand was a significant predictor of overall cognitive functioning, explaining 17% of the variance in cognitive scores.鈥
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing damage to the protective covering of nerves and the nerve fibers themselves. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body, leading to a variety of symptoms and disabilities. Among the most common symptoms are problems with hand coordination and cognitive impairment, affecting attention, information processing speed, learning and executive function, such as planning and problem-solving.
The research highlights the need for further studies to explore how simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks affect people with MS. Health professionals can utilize manual dexterity assessments to identify and intervene in cognitive impairments early, potentially improving an individual鈥檚 daily functioning and quality of life.
鈥淭his research could pave the way for improved treatments and interventions that enhance the quality of life for those affected by this debilitating disease,鈥 said Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, a co-author of the study and clinical associate professor in the Katz School鈥檚 Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. 鈥淎s we continue to uncover the complexities of MS, these insights offer hope for more effective management and treatment strategies for this challenging condition.鈥
