Quantitative assessment of upper extremities motor function in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently causes upper extremity (UE) motor deficits.
• Assessing UE function in MS is challenging due to a lack of standardized definitions.
• Instrumented biomechanical analysis offers objective quantification of coordination and disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify objective, quantitative parameters for evaluating UE disability in MS patients.
• To correlate these quantitative parameters with established clinical disability scores.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-four MS patients and 24 healthy controls performed a finger-to-nose test.
• Kinematic parameters of UE movements were measured using inertial sensors.
• Clinical evaluations included established disability scales.

Main Results:

• Increased disability scores correlated with slower task performance (temporal parameters).
• Inter-joint coordination significantly decreased in MS patients.
• Spatial parameters showed maximal range of motion changes in elbow flexion.

Conclusions:

• Spatiotemporal parameters effectively reflect UE motor function and MS disability levels.
• Quantitative biomechanical data can support clinical decisions and improve disability rating in MS.
• This approach offers objective insights into MS-related motor impairments.