Motor assessment of upper extremity function and its relation with fatigue, cognitive function and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the motor function of upper extremity and its relation with fatigue, cognitive function and quality of life in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and controlled study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic in a university hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with MS (25 women, 6 men; mean age 39.74 +/- 10.10 years; mean EDSS, 2.56 +/- 1.91) and 30 healthy subjects (20 women, 10 men; mean age 33.56 +/- 8.85 years) were enrolled into the study.


METHODS
Nine-hole peg test (9-HPT) and Valpar Component Work Sample Test (VCWS-4), Upper Extremity Index (UEI), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54).


RESULTS
MS patients showed significant impairment in upper extremity motor functions, cognitive function and excessive fatigue compared to controls (p < 0.05). 9-HPT in MS group correlated with EDSS, UEI and MSQOL-54 physical health and cognitive function, whereas VCWS-4 scores (assembly right, assembly left and disassembly) correlated only with EDSS and UEI. No correlation was found between the VCWS-4 and cognitive function and fatigue in both of the groups. Compared to control group, a strong correlation existed between the 9-HPT and VCWS-4 in MS patients (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that disability level (EDSS), UEI and cognitive function in MS patients are related with impairment in upper extremity motor function. This again contributes to an impairment in physical domain of quality of life. A strong correlation of the 9-HPT with VCWS-4 supports the use of the 9-HPT as a measure of manual dexterity and gross motor functions.
Yozbatiran
Nuray
N
School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
Baskurt
Ferdi
F
Baskurt
Zeliha
Z
Ozakbas
Serkan
S
Idiman
Egemen
E