Manual Dexterity, Balance, and Trunk Control in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors : Taşkın Özkan, Esra Erkoç Ataoğlu, Fatih Soke, Selda Karakoc, Süleyman Furkan Hangün, Mustafa Ertuğrul Yaşa, Çağrı Gülşen, Hatice Ayse Tokcaer Bora

Pages : 160-167

View : 28 | Download : 42

Publication Date : 2024-08-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: The study\'s objectives were to assess manual dexterity in those with Alzheimer\'s Disease (AD) and healthy older adults, as well as to look into the relationships between manual dexterity and balance and trunk control in patients with AD. Material and Methods: The study involved 32 patients with AD and 32 healthy older adults matched for gender and age. Manual dexterity was assessed with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT); balance with The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), The Four Square Step Test (FSST) and The One Leg Standing Test (OLST); trunk control with the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). Results: The dominant and nondominant NHPT times were higher in patients with AD compared to healthy older adults (p<0.05). The dominant and nondominat NHPT were associated with BBS, FSST, OLST, and TIS in patients with AD (r between -0.375 and -0.755; p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Manual dexterity was affected in patients with AD compared to healthy older adults and manual dexterity was related to balance and trunk control in patients with AD. In patients with AD, bilateral hand dexterity should be assessed from an early stage, and it should not be ignored that practices that improve balance and trunk control may have positive effects on hand functions during hand rehabilitation.
Keywords : Alzheimer Hastalığı, el becerisi, denge, gövde kontrolü