Article

Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in people with
multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, convenient, quick, and validated tests for
manual dexterity in people with MS are needed. The aim of this study
was to validate the Coin Rotation Task (CRT) for examining manual dexterity in
people with MS. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 101
outpatients with MS were assessed with the CRT, the Expanded Disability Status
Scale (EDSS), the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), and the
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); muscle strength and sensory deficits of the hands
were noted. The concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the CRT were
determined by comparison with the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Construct validity was
determined by comparison with a valid dexterity questionnaire. Multiple
regression analyses were done to explore correlations of the CRT with the EDSS,
SARA, MAS, muscle strength, and sensory deficits. RESULTS: The CRT correlated
significantly with the 9HPT (r=.73, P<.0001), indicating good concurrent
validity. The cutoff values for the CRT relative to the 9HPT were 18.75 seconds
for the dominant hand (sensitivity=81.5%, specificity=80.0%) and 19.25 seconds
for the nondominant hand (sensitivity=90.3%, specificity=81.8%); these values
indicated good diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the CRT correlated significantly
with the dexterity questionnaire (r=-.49, P<.0001), indicating moderate construct
validity. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the EDSS was the strongest
predictor for impaired dexterity. LIMITATIONS: Most of the people examined had
relapsing-remitting MS and EDSS scores of up to 7. CONCLUSIONS: This study
validated the CRT as a test that can be used easily and quickly to evaluate
manual dexterity in people with MS.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS