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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
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Rapid foot-tapping but not hand-tapping ability is different between relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple
Sumire Sato1, Jongil Lim2, Jules D Miehm3
1Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|March 16, 2020
Summary
Foot-tapping performance differs between multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes, with the up-movement phase showing greater diagnostic potential than hand-tapping. This finding aids in distinguishing relapsing-remitting MS from progressive MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Movement Science
Background:
- Rapid tapping tests are established measures for upper motor neuron disease, differentiating multiple sclerosis (MS) from controls and MS subtypes.
- Understanding specific motor phase differences in tapping between MS subtypes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- This study investigated performance variations in hand and foot tapping between relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS (PMS) and controls (CON).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize performance differences in rapid hand- and foot-tapping tests between RRMS and PMS.
- To compare tapping performance between MS subtypes and non-MS controls.
- To identify specific movement phases (up/down) that differentiate MS subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Participants included 30 CON, 32 RRMS, and 31 PMS, wearing inertial sensors on limbs.
- Participants performed maximal rapid tapping for 10 seconds; gyroscope data quantified inter-tap interval, movement duration, variation, and peak velocity.
- Statistical analyses (ANOVA, t-tests, logistic regression) examined group differences and diagnostic potential.
Main Results:
- Foot-tapping inter-tap interval differed significantly between RRMS and PMS (p<0.001), with potential to distinguish subtypes (AUC=0.71).
- Up-movement duration and foot-tapping variation showed greater differences between CON and MS groups than down-movement.
- Up- and down-peak angular velocity during foot-tapping differed between CON and PMS, with up-movement showing larger group differences.
Conclusions:
- Foot-tapping, particularly the up-movement phase, demonstrates greater potential than hand-tapping for differentiating MS subtypes.
- Impairments in anti-gravity up-movements during tapping may be a key diagnostic indicator in MS.
- Further research into the physiological mechanisms of anti-gravity movement impairments in MS is warranted.
