Box and block test, hand grip strength and nine-hole peg test: correlations between three upper limb objective...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Neurophysiology

Background:

• Limited data exists on upper limb impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Assessing hand grip strength (HGS) and dexterity is crucial for understanding MS-related functional deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report normative values for HGS, Box and Block Test (BBT), and Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) in a large MS cohort.
• To investigate correlations between these upper limb function measures and demographic/clinical factors in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Multi-center study involving 202 individuals with MS across five Italian neurological centers.
• Standardized assessments included HGS, BBT, and 9HPT, with data analyzed against age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, and disease course.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in HGS, BBT, and 9HPT compared to healthy controls.
• HGS, BBT, and 9HPT showed associations with age, EDSS, and disease duration.
• Dexterity tests (BBT, 9HPT) scores varied significantly based on MS disability level (EDSS).

Conclusions:

• Provides valuable distribution data for HGS and BBT in a substantial MS population.
• Correlations between HGS, BBT, and 9HPT were generally low, suggesting distinct aspects of upper limb function.
• These findings contribute to a better understanding of upper limb functional assessment in MS management.