Quantitative Measurements of Motor Function in Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract

Background: This study examines the efficacy of using quantitative measurements of motor dysfunction, compared to clinical ratings, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 49 patients with a diagnosis of AD (n = 17), FTD (n = 19), or DLB (n = 13) were included and underwent cognitive testing, clinical motor evaluation, and quantitative motor tests: pronation/supination hand tapping, grasping and lifting, and finger and foot tapping. Results: Our results revealed significantly higher Q-Motor values in pronation/supination and in grip lift force assessment in AD, FTD, and DLB compared to healthy controls (HC). Q-Motor values detected significant differences between AD and HC, while clinical ratings did not. Conclusion: Our results suggest that quantitative measurements provide more objective and sensitive measurements of motor dysfunction in dementia.

Investigating the associations between upper limb motor function and cognitive impairment: a scoping review

“…The first, published in 1995 [ 24 ], used a computer keyboard to count the number of fast-paced finger-taps. Since then, eight studies used fast-paced tapping of a computer key or lever [ 6 , 18 , 27 , 29 , 55 , 59 , 63 , 71 ]. Movement variables such as number of taps and tapping speed were extracted.…”

“…Three studies used tasks involving reach/grasp/lift of an object [ 34 , 55 , 75 ]. In one study [ 34 ], participants with MCI and AD lifted objects with different weights and held them for 4 s. In another [ 55 ], participants with dementia (various types) lifted an object for 20 s. Both studies analysed steadiness and speed.…”

“…Three studies used tasks involving reach/grasp/lift of an object [ 34 , 55 , 75 ]. In one study [ 34 ], participants with MCI and AD lifted objects with different weights and held them for 4 s. In another [ 55 ], participants with dementia (various types) lifted an object for 20 s. Both studies analysed steadiness and speed. One study [ 75 ] assessed reaching for an object at self-selected and fast paces, under various visual conditions in HC and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), some with cognitive impairment, measuring the time to complete the task.…”

Cerebrovascular disease in patients with cognitive impairment: A white paper from the ESO dementia committee – A practical point of view with suggestions for the management of cerebrovascular diseases in memory clinics

“…Cerebral SVD is associated with urinary problems 19 and also with abnormalities on neurological examination, such as slowness of finger tapping. 20 Despite the possibility that these features might direct the attention of the treating physician towards the presence of a vascular contribution, other degenerative pathologies may present with similar findings 21,22 . It might be reasonable however to search for all these aspects in each patient arriving at a memory clinic.…”

Characteristics and Applications of Technology-Aided Hand Functional Assessment: A Systematic Review

“…The exploitation of new technologies-aided hand functional assessment methods in the context of neurodegenerative [ 53 , 54 ] and neurodevelopment disorders [ 43 , 55 ] could provide interesting results. As an example, technologies able to track kinematic information about fine hand use in free-living conditions could support early detection of fine motor impairments in neurodegenerative disorders [ 56 , 57 ]. Moreover, quantitative analysis of reaching patterns, grasping forces and power grip maturation patterns could bring a wealth of knowledge about the subtle fine motor impairments that affect children with cerebral palsy [ 58 ], attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [ 59 ], and autism spectrum disorder [ 60 ].…”