Evaluation of upper extremity ataxia through image processing in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Impaired dexterity is a common challenge for individuals with ataxic multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Accurate and standardized assessment of upper extremity coordination is crucial for managing MS-related disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Tablet Ataxia Assessment Program (TAAP) in quantifying upper extremity coordination disorder in MS patients.
• To compare TAAP's sensitivity against established clinical assessments.

Main Methods:

• Fifty MS patients and 30 healthy controls were assessed using TAAP, measuring X and Y axis movements.
• The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and the nine-hole peg test (NHPT) were used for comparison.
• Functional hand times were recorded using the NHPT, and upper extremity coordination was evaluated via ICARS.

Main Results:

• MS patients exhibited greater X and Y axis movement deviations compared to controls (p<0.05).
• TAAP scores showed significant correlations with NHPT and ICARS scores.
• Strongest correlations were observed between NHPT and ICARS for the dominant hand, and Y-axis deviations correlated significantly with ICARS, particularly in the non-dominant hand.

Conclusions:

• TAAP demonstrates superior sensitivity in evaluating ataxia compared to conventional methods.
• TAAP serves as an objective tool for neurorehabilitation professionals and clinicians to assess upper extremity coordination in MS.
• The findings support TAAP's utility in standardizing ataxia assessments.