Patient Perspectives on Upper-Limb Daily Function in Parkinson's Disease

Dexterity impairments are common among people with Parkinson's disease (PWP), yet little is understood about the effect of upper-limb (UL) dysfunction on daily activity performance.

The aims were to (1) map the dexterity activities most affected and meaningful to PWP; (2) explore the associations between perceived dexterity function and disease severity, cognitive and motor UL impairments, dexterity ability, self-reported activities of daily living (ADL) function, and quality of life (QOL); (3) investigate variables explaining perceived dexterity function; and (4) examine the differences in perceived dexterity function based on dominance affectedness.

A total of 43 PWP (mean age = 70.00 years, standard deviation [SD] = 6.75) were assessed for perceived dexterity function (36-item Dexterity Questionnaire [DextQ-36]), dexterity ability (Coin Rotation Task), disease severity (modified Hoen and Yahr Scale), self-reported ADL function and motor UL impairments (Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and QOL (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39).

The leading dexterity activities participants reported as difficult and meaningful included using a touchscreen, pulling on socks, and dialing a phone. Perceived dexterity significantly correlated with self-reported ADL function (r = 0.716), QOL (r = 0.691), disease severity (r = 0.470), and dominant-hand dexterity (r = 0.432). Dexterity ability and disease severity explained 30% of perceived dexterity variance. No differences in perceived dexterity function based on dominance affectedness were found.

PWP encounter challenges in complex dexterity tasks that impact their independence. Before interventions focused on UL function are initiated, assessments of PWP should include inquiries about the meaningfulness of challenging dexterity activities.