ABSTRACT

Research in Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease suggests that hand function is affected by neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between hand function and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Therefore, we conducted a kinematic analysis of unimanual hand movements in MCI patients to answer whether manual asymmetries and manual dexterity are affected or preserved in this condition. Forty-one MCI patients and fifty healthy controls were tested with the Purdue Pegboard test. All participants were right-handed. Kinematic analyses (by hand) were calculated for path length, angle, and linear and angular velocities during reaching, grasping, transport and inserting. Group differences were tested by with factorial MANOVAs and laterality indexes (LI) were assessed. Groups were compared on “Right–Left” hand correlations to identify kinematics that best single-out patients. Kinematics from grasping and inserting were significantly more deteriorated in the MCI group, while outcomes for reaching and transport denoted superior performance. LIs data showed symmetry of movements in the MCI group, during reaching and transport. Comparisons of “Right–Left” hand correlations revealed that kinematics in reaching and transport were more symmetrical in patients. This study showed a deterioration of fine manual dexterity, an enhancement in gross dexterity of upper-limbs, and symmetrical movements in MCI patients.

摘要

对帕金森病或阿尔茨海默病的研究表明，手部功能会受到神经退行性疾病的影响。然而，关于手部功能与轻度认知障碍 (MCI) 之间的关系知之甚少。因此，我们对 MCI 患者的单手运动进行了运动学分析，以回答在这种情况下，手部不对称和手部灵巧性是否受到影响或得以保留。41 名 MCI 患者和 50 名健康对照者接受了 Purdue Pegboard 测试。所有参与者都是右撇子。运动学分析（手动）计算了到达、抓取、运输和插入过程中的路径长度、角度以及线速度和角速度。通过因子 MANOVA 测试组间差异，并评估偏侧性指数 (LI)。比较各组的“右手-左手”手相关性，以确定最适合单选患者的运动学。在 MCI 组中，抓取和插入的运动学明显更差，而伸手和运输的结果则表现出优异的表现。LIs 数据显示 MCI 组在到达和运输过程中的运动对称性。“右手-左手”相关性的比较表明，患者在伸手和运输时的运动学更加对称。这项研究表明，MCI 患者的精细手灵巧度下降，上肢整体灵巧度增强，运动对称。而到达和运输的结果表示卓越的表现。LIs 数据显示 MCI 组在到达和运输过程中的运动对称性。“右手-左手”相关性的比较表明，患者在伸手和运输时的运动学更加对称。这项研究表明，MCI 患者的精细手灵巧度下降，上肢整体灵巧度增强，运动对称。而到达和运输的结果表示卓越的表现。LIs 数据显示 MCI 组在到达和运输过程中的运动对称性。“右手-左手”相关性的比较表明，患者在伸手和运输时的运动学更加对称。这项研究表明，MCI 患者的精细手灵巧度下降，上肢整体灵巧度增强，运动对称。