Characterization of the fine motor problems in patients with cognitive dysfunction - A computerized handwriting...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), often manifests with subtle changes in motor function.
• Assessing these motor changes objectively is crucial for early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel technology for evaluating Chinese handwriting accuracy by analyzing stroke movements.
• To assess the feasibility of computerized evaluation for detecting handwriting deterioration linked to cognitive impairment.

Main Methods:

• Recruited participants with AD (n=22), aMCI (n=14), and healthy controls (n=18).
• Utilized graphomotor tasks including drawing lines and writing Chinese characters.
• Analyzed temporal and spatial data to quantify motor coordination and handwriting accuracy.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in task accuracy and movement fluency between the three groups, particularly in fine motor control.
• Individuals with AD and aMCI exhibited lower graphic drawing accuracy and longer pauses during handwriting tasks compared to controls.
• Handwriting accuracy was significantly impaired in both AD and aMCI groups.

Conclusions:

• The developed technology provides an objective measure for assessing cognitive impairment through handwriting analysis.
• Results suggest potential for early detection of AD and aMCI.
• This method can serve as an objective tool for evaluating intervention effectiveness and tracking disease progression.