The Influence of Parkinson’s Disease Motor Symptom Asymmetry on Hand Performance: An Examination of the Grooved Pegboard Task

Abstract

This study examined the influence of motor symptom asymmetry in Parkinson's disease (PD) on Grooved Pegboard (GP) performance in right-handed participants. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale was used to assess motor symptoms and separate participants with PD into two groups (right-arm affected, left-arm affected) for comparison with a group of healthy older adults. Participants completed the place and replace GP tasks two times with both hands. Laterality quotients were computed to quantify performance differences between the two hands. Comparisons among the three groups indicated that when the nonpreferred hand is affected by PD motor symptoms, superior preferred hand performance (as seen in healthy older adults) is further exaggerated in tasks that require precision (i.e., place task). Regardless of the task, when the preferred hand is affected, there is an evident shift to superior left-hand performance, which may inevitably manifest as a switch in hand preference. Results add to the discussion of the relationship between handedness and motor symptom asymmetry in PD.

Integrated robotics platform with haptic control differentiates subjects with Parkinson’s disease from controls and quantifies the motor effects of levodopa

“…All analyses except the asymmetry analysis incorporated the averaged parameter values. In order to determine body side asymmetries for bradykinesia and rigidity, the right minus left side difference between UPDRS items 22–26 were calculated when subjects were OFF medication [34].…”

Electromyographic measures of asymmetric muscle control of swallowing in Parkinson’s disease

“…tremor for the right and left side [20]. The side with the higher scores indicated more severe impairment, thus the side with the highest score was determined as the MAS.…”

Exploring Asymmetric Fine Motor Impairment Trends in Early Parkinson's Disease via Keystroke Typing

“…2 Asymmetry helps distinguish PD from other motor disorders 3 and might influence factors like first symptom, disease survival, and time to diagnosis. 2,4 Despite neuroimaging evidence showing reduced dopamine uptake 5 and increased neurodegeneration 6 in the less affected side, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. 3 The literature conflicts on whether premorbid hand dominance influences PD symptom onset side, 4,[7][8][9] though handedness may affect motor performance and prognosis trajectories.…”

“…4 Scharoun et al 4 found right-handed D-PD increased non-dominant hand usage, potentially switching hand preference as the disease progresses. Some research suggests D-PD has a more debilitating effect on hand performance than ND-PD, 10 while other studies report faster motor progression for ND-PD 4,5 or D-PD. 11,12 Quantifying asymmetrical motor impairment could help clinicians confirm PD diagnosis, refine prognosis, and design personalized rehabilitation plans.…”

“…In early Parkinson's disease (PD) stages, fine motor function impairment often presents asymmetrically, 1 leading to classification into dominant‐side onset (D‐PD) or non‐dominant side onset (ND‐PD) 2 . Asymmetry helps distinguish PD from other motor disorders 3 and might influence factors like first symptom, disease survival, and time to diagnosis 2,4 . Despite neuroimaging evidence showing reduced dopamine uptake 5 and increased neurodegeneration 6 in the less affected side, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear 3 …”