The minnesota manual dexterity test as a bimanual performance measure in people with multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders Vol. 64; p. 103943
• Main Authors: Ovacik, Ugur, Tarakci, Ela, Gungor, Feray, Menengic, Kubra Nur, Leblebici, Gökce, Acar, Zeynep Ozdemir, Soysal, Aysun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Manual dexterity; Minnesota manual dexterity test; Multiple sclerosis; Neurology; Outcome assessment; Upper extremity; Multiple sclerosis; Minnesota manual dexterity test; Upper extremity; Manual dexterity; Outcome assessment; Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test; manual dexterity; outcome assessment; upper extremity
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103943

•Although upper limb dysfunction is common in MS, there are limited objective methods to evaluate bimanual dexterity, considering that activities in daily life are bimanual.•MMDT is an objective method that has important advantages in terms of assessing manual dexterity both unilaterally and bilaterally but its validity in pwMS is unknown.•Our study demonstrated that the MMDT is a valid test in evaluating unilateral and bilateral manual dexterity and can reveal upper extremity dysfunction even in early-stage MS. Increasing knowledge about unilateral or bilateral upper limb (UL) involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS) has revealed the need for an objective assessment tool. The aims of our study were to evaluate manual dexterity using Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) in people with MS (pwMS), to investigate the validity and feasibility of MMDT, and to examine its relationship with other variables. Eighty pwMS and forty healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics of pwMS were recorded, and manual dexterity, activity performance of the UL, hand grip and pinch strength, and fatigue levels were evaluated. Validity was performed using the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Feasibility was evaluated with questions directed to pwMS. The relationship between MMDT and strength, ABILHAND, fatigue, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and disease duration was examined and multiple regression analysis was established. For the MMDT of pwMS were mean placing-dominant 82.73 s, mean placing-nondominant 88.6 s, and mean two-hand turning and placing 61.75 s. All results were statistically significantly different compared to healthy controls. There was moderate to high correlation between the subtests of the MMDT and the NHPT. 85–90% positive feedback was received for the feasibility of MMDT. A significant interaction was found between all subtests of MMDT and EDSS, ABILHAND and disease duration in predicting manual dexterity scores. MMDT is a valid and feasible tool for assessing manual dexterity and it can be used as an appropriate outcome measure in researches aiming to evaluate bilateral UL function in pwMS.