Psychometric properties of the Minnesota manual dexterity test in people with multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveThe loss of manual dexterity significantly an impact is a key determinant directly influencing quality of life, social participation, and interaction in people with multiple sclerosis, making its assessment vital. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test in people with multiple sclerosis and the cut-off times that differentiate from healthy controls.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingOutpatient clinic.ParticipantsSixty people with multiple sclerosis and thirty-five healthy controls. Forty PwMS performed the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test on two occasions 1 week apart for reliability.Main measuresThe Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test was administered along with the 9-Hole Peg Test, Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, ABILHAND questionnaire, and disability level.ResultsThe Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.91-0.99). The minimum detectable change values of subtests ranged from 3.66-19.97. The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test showed a fair to excellent positive correlation with the 9-Hole Peg Test, Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, and disability level (ρ = 0.38-ρ = 0.76, p < 0.05), and fair to moderate negative correlations with the ABILHAND questionnaire (ρ = -0.29 to -0.59). Cut-off times were established ranging from 39.05 to 66.87 s depending on the subtest of Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test.ConclusionsThe Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test has advantages such as evaluating bilateral hand functions, hand-eye coordination, and gross motor skills that are not found in many other manual dexterity assessment tools. The test is adequately valid, reliable and clinically usable for assessing manual dexterity in people with multiple sclerosis.Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06704464).