Cognitive-motor interference in persons with multiple sclerosis during five upper limb motor tasks with different complexity

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 1736-1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joke Raats ◽  
Ilse Lamers ◽  
Ilse Baert ◽  
Barbara Willekens ◽  
Renee Veldkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Word List ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Bimanual Task ◽  
Finger Tapping Test ◽  
Block Test

Background: Cognitive-motor interference in multiple sclerosis has been well examined during walking, but not during upper limb (UL) performance. Objectives: To examine the dual-task cost (DTC) in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and healthy controls (HC) in various type and complexity of UL motor tasks. Method: In total, 30 pwMS without major UL impairment and 30 HC performed five different UL tasks, in single condition and combined with the phonemic word list generation task. The percent change in performances was evaluated by the motor, cognitive, and combined DTC. The motor tasks consisted of four unimanual (sustained hand grip strength, box-and-block test, Purdue pegboard test, finger tapping task) and one bimanual task (Purdue pegboard test). Group and task differences were analyzed with unpaired and paired t-tests, respectively, and overall effect with a multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The motor DTC ranged between 10% (Purdue pegboard bimanual) and 35% (box-and-block test). The cognitive DTC ranged between −8% (finger tapping test) and +21% (bimanual Purdue pegboard). The magnitude of the combined DTC did not differ significantly between pwMS and HC in any task. Conclusion: DTC is influenced by the complexity of the UL task, but was not significantly different between HC and cognitive intact, but mildly motor disabled pwMS.

scholarly journals Perception of effort and the allocation of physical resources: a generalization to upper-limb motor tasks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Payen de la Garanderie ◽  
Aymeric Courtay ◽  
Camille Féral-Basin ◽  
Pierre Rainville ◽  
Jérémie Gaveau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Perception Of Effort ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Block Test ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

PURPOSE: The perception of effort (PE) is widely used to prescribe and monitor exercise during locomotor and resistance tasks. The present study examines the validity of PE to prescribe and monitor exercise during upper-limb motor tasks under various loads and speed requirements.METHODS: Forty participants volunteered in two experiments. In experiment 1, we used four PE intensities to prescribe exercise on a modified version of the box and block test (BBT) and a pointing task. We investigated the possibility of monitoring the exercise intensity by tracking changes in PE rating in response to three different tempos or additional weights. Experiment 2 replicated the possibility of prescribing the exercise with the PE intensity during the BBT and explored the impact of additional weights on performance and PE during the standardized version of the BBT. Muscle activation, heart rate and respiratory frequencies were recorded.RESULTS: In experiment 1, increasing the PE intensity to prescribe exercise induced an increased performance between each intensity. Increasing task difficulty with faster movement tempo and adding weight on the forearm increased the rating of PE. Experiment 2 replicated the possibility to use PE intensity for exercise prescription during the BBT. When completing the BBT with an additional weight on the forearm, participants maintained performance at the cost of a higher PE. In both experiments, changes in PE are associated with changes in muscle activation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PE is a valid tool to prescribe and monitor exercise during upper-limb motor tasks.

Dual-Task Performance in Multiple Sclerosis’ Patients: Cerebellum Matters?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ornella Argento ◽  
Barbara Spanò ◽  
Valerio Pisani ◽  
Chiara C Incerti ◽  
Marco Bozzali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Mutual Influence ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Word List ◽  
Generation Task ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Concurrent Execution ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract Objective Gait, cognitive impairments, and their mutual influence in dual tasking (cognitive–motor dual tasking, CM-DT) are important to address therapeutic approaches in patients with multiple sclerosis (PMS). CM-DT correlates have been widely investigated with variable and dissimilar results, due to differences in methods. However, although the cerebellum has recently shown to be involved in both motor and cognitive functions, few studies have explored its role in the integration of the concurrent execution of gait and cognition. This case–control study aims to explore the effects of adding a cognitive task to walking in PMS and to investigate the role of the cerebellum in the interfering process. Methods In total, 20 patients and 18 healthy controls (HC) underwent clinical assessments, dual task (DT), and 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DT was composed by three 2-min trials requiring fast walking. In 2 of them 2 different cognitive tasks were added. Results Both groups evidenced the presence of cognitive–motor interference (CMI) for both cognitive conditions with a greater effect of word list generation task in PMS. Analysis of variance between HC and patients with high or low performances showed a significantly increased volume in Vermis lobules VIIIa and IX of high performers compared with HC. Conclusion Our results show that CMI is also present in healthy individuals but is significantly more disabling in PMS. Furthermore, MRI data point to the existence of an initial mechanism of cerebellar reorganization in PMS with lower interference. Subsequently, the failure of this mechanism due to the progression of disability leads to a more evident expression of symptoms.

scholarly journals Developing and assessing a new web-based tapping test for measuring distal movement in Parkinson’s disease: a Distal Finger Tapping test

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen Akram ◽  
Haoxuan Li ◽  
Aaron Ben-Joseph ◽  
Caroline Budu ◽  
David A. Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Motor Fluctuation ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Travelling Time ◽  
Finger Tapping Test

AbstractDisability in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is measured by standardised scales including the MDS-UPDRS, which are subject to high inter and intra-rater variability and fail to capture subtle motor impairment. The BRadykinesia Akinesia INcoordination (BRAIN) test is a validated keyboard tapping test, evaluating proximal upper-limb motor impairment. Here, a new Distal Finger Tapping (DFT) test was developed to assess distal upper-limb function. Kinetic parameters of the test include kinesia score (KS20, key taps over 20 s), akinesia time (AT20, mean dwell-time on each key) and incoordination score (IS20, variance of travelling time between key taps). To develop and evaluate a new keyboard-tapping test for objective and remote distal motor function in PD patients. The DFT and BRAIN tests were assessed in 55 PD patients and 65 controls. Test scores were compared between groups and correlated with the MDS-UPDRS-III finger tapping sub-scores. Nine additional PD patients were recruited for monitoring motor fluctuations. All three parameters discriminated effectively between PD patients and controls, with KS20 performing best, yielding 79% sensitivity for 85% specificity; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.90. A combination of DFT and BRAIN tests improved discrimination (AUC = 0.95). Among three parameters, KS20 showed a moderate correlation with the MDS-UPDRS finger-tapping sub-score (Pearson’s r = − 0.40, p = 0.002). Further, the DFT test detected subtle changes in motor fluctuation states which were not reflected clearly by the MDS-UPDRS-III finger tapping sub-scores. The DFT test is an online tool for assessing distal movements in PD, with future scope for longitudinal monitoring of motor complications.

Box and block test, hand grip strength and nine‐hole peg test: correlations between three upper limb objective measures in multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 2523-2530
Author(s):  
C. Solaro ◽  
R. Di Giovanni ◽  
E. Grange ◽  
M. Mueller ◽  
M. Messmer Uccelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Block Test ◽  
Nine Hole Peg Test

Pediatric Co-Norms for Finger Tapping, Grip Strength, and Grooved Pegboard in a Community Sample

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Wilcox ◽  
David Nordstokke
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Strength Test ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Motor Tests ◽  
Finger Tapping Test ◽  
Grooved Pegboard Test

Abstract Objective: Motor tests, including Finger-Tapping Test, Grooved Pegboard Test, and Grip Strength Test, are frequently used by neuropsychologists when assessing pediatric populations. Many of the norms available for these measures are outdated, have not been co-normed, and have samples with limited diversity. This study aims to provide updated, co-norms for three commonly used motor tasks with a diverse population. Method: Participants (n = 476; age range 6–14) were recruited from community settings to complete each of the three motor tests. Results: Results demonstrate generally improved performance across ages with no significant difference between performance of males and females on the Grooved Pegboard Test or the Finger Tapping Test. The only significant findings were on the Grip Strength Test where 12–14-year-old boys demonstrated stronger performance on the dominant hand. Conclusion: This study provides updated and co-normed data on frequently used motor tasks with a diverse pediatric sample, which are useful for clinicians.

Sleep and motor learning

2020 ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Antonio Cicchella
Keyword(s):  
Motor Learning ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Sleep Habits ◽  
Simple Motor ◽  
Function Of Sleep

Sleep is a process, which happens in human body and has many functions. One relatively recently studied function of sleep is its involvement in the motor learning process. This paper presents a historical overview of the studies on sleep, and the results of two experimental research studies that explore the motor learning of a simple finger tapping tasks performed by adults, and the sleep habits of boys practicing sports. The research results show that sleep has an effect on improving motion retention of simple motor tasks, and that sports improve sleep for boys, thus contributing to better learning.

Revisiting Poststroke Upper Limb Stratification: Resilience in a Larger Cohort

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832199204
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Varley ◽  
Christine T. Shiner ◽  
Liam Johnson ◽  
Penelope A. McNulty ◽  
Angelica G. Thompson-Butel
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Stratification Method ◽  
Wolf Motor Function Test ◽  
Block Test ◽  
Time Restriction ◽  
Post Hoc

Background Upper limb (UL) impairment in stroke survivors is both multifactorial and heterogeneous. Stratification of motor function helps identify the most sensitive and appropriate assessments, which in turn aids the design of effective and individualized rehabilitation strategies. We previously developed a stratification method combining the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) to stratify poststroke UL motor function. Objective To investigate the resilience of the stratification method in a larger cohort and establish its appropriateness for clinical practice by investigating limitations of the GPT completion time. Methods Post hoc analysis of motor function for 96 community-dwelling participants with stroke (n = 68 male, 28 female, age 60.8 ± 14 years, 24.4 ± 36.6 months poststroke) was performed using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (F-M), BBT, and GPT. Hypothesis-free and hypothesis-based hierarchical cluster analyses were conducted to determine the resilience of the stratification method. Results The hypothesis-based analysis identified the same functional groupings as the hypothesis-free analysis: low (n = 32), moderate (n = 26), and high motor function (n = 38), with 3 exceptions. Thirty-three of the 38 participants with fine manual dexterity completed the GPT in ≤5 minutes. The remaining 5 participants took 6 to 25 minutes to place all 25 pegs but used alternative movement strategies to complete the test. The GPT time restriction changed the functional profile of the moderate and high motor function groups leading to more misclassifications. Conclusion The stratification method unambiguously classifies participants by UL motor function. While the inclusion of a 5-minute cutoff time for the GPT is preferred for clinical practice, it is not recommended for stratification purposes.

Inhibitory Control of Adjacent Finger Movements while Performing a Modified Version of the Halstead Finger Tapping Test: Effects of Age, Education and Sex

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
George P. Prigatano ◽  
Sandro Barbosa de Oliveira ◽  
Carlos Wellington Passos Goncalves ◽  
Sheila Marques Denucci ◽  
Roberta Monteiro Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
College Education ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Motor Inhibition ◽  
Finger Movements ◽  
Diagnostic Significance ◽  
Finger Tapping Test ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objective: Selective motor inhibition is known to decline with age. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of failures at inhibitory control of adjacent finger movements while performing a repetitive finger tapping task in young, middle-aged and older adults. Potential education and sex effects were also evaluated. Methods: Kinematic recordings of adjacent finger movements were obtained on 107 healthy adults (ages 20–80) while they performed a modified version of the Halstead Finger Tapping Test (HTFF). Study participants were instructed to inhibit all finger movements while tapping with the index finger. Results: Inability to inhibit adjacent finger movements while performing the task was infrequent in young adults (2.9% of individuals between 20 and 39 years of age) but increased with age (23.3% between the ages of 40 and 59; 31.0% between ages 60 and 80). Females and males did not differ in their inability to inhibit adjacent finger movements, but individuals with a college education showed a lower frequency of failure to inhibit adjacent finger movements (10.3%) compared to those with a high school education (28.6%). These findings were statistically significant only for the dominant hand. Conclusion: Selective motor inhibition failures are most common in the dominant hand and occur primarily in older healthy adults while performing the modified version of the HFTT. Monitoring selective motor inhibition failures may have diagnostic significance.

scholarly journals Explicit motor sequence learning after stroke: a neuropsychological study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Russo ◽  
Laura Veronelli ◽  
Carlotta Casati ◽  
Alessia Monti ◽  
Laura Perucca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Motor Recovery ◽  
Finger Tapping ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Motor Sequence ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Motor Practice

AbstractMotor learning interacts with and shapes experience-dependent cerebral plasticity. In stroke patients with paresis of the upper limb, motor recovery was proposed to reflect a process of re-learning the lost/impaired skill, which interacts with rehabilitation. However, to what extent stroke patients with hemiparesis may retain the ability of learning with their affected limb remains an unsolved issue, that was addressed by this study. Nineteen patients, with a cerebrovascular lesion affecting the right or the left hemisphere, underwent an explicit motor learning task (finger tapping task, FTT), which was performed with the paretic hand. Eighteen age-matched healthy participants served as controls. Motor performance was assessed during the learning phase (i.e., online learning), as well as immediately at the end of practice, and after 90 min and 24 h (i.e., retention). Results show that overall, as compared to the control group, stroke patients, regardless of the side (left/right) of the hemispheric lesion, do not show a reliable practice-dependent improvement; consequently, no retention could be detected in the long-term (after 90 min and 24 h). The motor learning impairment was associated with subcortical damage, predominantly affecting the basal ganglia; conversely, it was not associated with age, time elapsed from stroke, severity of upper-limb motor and sensory deficits, and the general neurological condition. This evidence expands our understanding regarding the potential of post-stroke motor recovery through motor practice, suggesting a potential key role of basal ganglia, not only in implicit motor learning as previously pointed out, but also in explicit finger tapping motor tasks.

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