Impaired Hand Function and Its Association With Self-Perceived Hand Functional Ability and Quality of Life in Parkinson Disease

Abstract

Objective: Comprehensive hand function in people with Parkinson disease (PD) has been underevaluated. The objectives were to compare self-perceived and objective hand functions of PD and controls, compare outcomes between more and less affected hand subgroups, and evaluate relationship between self-perceived and objective outcomes in subgroups. Design: A total of 165 PD and 82 healthy participants completed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Purdue Pegboard Test, grip strength test, and Manual Ability Measure-16 in a cross-sectional study. PD participants completed the Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39. Associations between objective and self-perceived/quality of life outcomes in PD groups were analyzed, and nondominant and dominant more affected subgroups performance was compared. Results: PD participants had significantly worse performance in most Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test and all Purdue Pegboard Test items, lower Manual Ability Measure-16 scores, and poorer handgrip strength. Weak associations were found between dexterity, but not grip strength, and self-perceived functional hand ability and Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 scores in PD subgroups. For nondominant more affected subgroup, poorer dexterity was associated with better Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 Activity of Daily Living domain scores. Conclusion: People with mild to moderate PD were shown to have poorer manual dexterity, reduced grip strength, and lower selfperceived functional hand ability than controls. Associations between dexterity and self-perceived outcomes highlight the importance of unimanual and bimanual training.

Cervical proprioception in Parkinson's disease and its correlation with manual dexterity function

“…34 It has also been associated with a decrease in torque production rate. 31 In this study, poor upper extremity performance in the PD group was associated with decreased cervical proprioception. In healthy individuals, the decrease in cervical proprioception was associated with lower upper extremity performance, while the increase in the strength of the deep cervical muscles was associated with higher upper extremity performance.…”

“…Various studies have shown that manual dexterity decreases in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals. 31,32 Isometric finger torque production and control are affected in PD. 3 In addition, bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, difficulty in sequential movements, and impaired ability to synchronize and coordinate movements affect manual dexterity.…”

“…33 Studies have also reported that people with mild to moderate PD have lower grip strength than healthy controls. 31,32 The mechanism by which grip strength decreases in PD is not clear. It has been reported that corticospinal activation of the muscle may be impaired due to the decrease in nigro-striatal dopamine.…”

“…Manual dexterity, HGS and tip grip strength were decreased in individuals with PD in this study. Various studies have shown that manual dexterity decreases in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals [ 31 , 32 ]. Isometric finger torque production and control are affected in PD [ 3 ].…”

An examination of relationships between vitamin B12 status and functional measures of peripheral neuropathy in young adult vegetarians

“…Keramiotou et al ( 22 ) demonstrated a strong association between hand dexterity, performance of daily activities, and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Similarly, Wong-Yu et al ( 38 ) noted correlations between hand dexterity measures and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Both manual dexterity and grip strength were reduced 20%–40% in patients compared to healthy controls, yet only the manual dexterity measures were related to the quality of life measures.…”