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Assessment Tools to Evaluate Motor Function in People with Dementia: A Systematic Review
Mariana Leitão1, Alexandra Saúde1, Raquel Bouça-Machado1,2
1CNS - Campus Neurológico, Torres Vedras, Portugal.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|July 18, 2022
Summary
Motor impairments are early signs of dementia. This review suggests validated tools like the Timed-Up-and-Go test for assessing motor function in dementia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Motor impairments are early indicators of dementia, appearing even before preclinical stages.
- Assessing motor function is crucial for tracking disease progression and evaluating treatments in dementia patients.
- Current measurement tools for motor function in dementia are not well-established or validated for this population.
Approach:
- A systematic review of experimental studies assessing motor function in dementia patients was conducted.
- Databases searched included CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and PEDro up to June 2021.
- Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of measurement tools.
Key Points:
- 200 studies assessing motor function in dementia patients were included.
- A total of 84 different measurement tools were identified.
- The Timed-Up-and-Go test, 6MWT, Berg Balance Scale, and Short Physical Performance Battery are recommended.
Conclusions:
- Many instruments used to assess motor performance in dementia lack validation for this specific population.
- Developing a tailored assessment protocol for different dementia stages is proposed.
- Future research should focus on technological advancements for motor function assessment in dementia.
