Frederikke Jeppesen Kragh1, Marie Bruun1, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen2, Lena Elisabeth Hjermind1, Robin Schubert3, Ralf Reilmann3,4,5, Jørgen Erik Nielsen1, Steen Gregers Hasselbalch6. 1. Danish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Public Health, Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. The George Huntington Institute, Münster, Germany. 4. Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. 5. Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. 6. Danish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmarksteen.gregers.hasselbalch@regionh.dk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examines the efficacy of using quantitative measurements of motor dysfunction, compared to clinical ratings, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 49 patients with a diagnosis of AD (n = 17), FTD (n = 19), or DLB (n = 13) were included and underwent cognitive testing, clinical motor evaluation, and quantitative motor tests: pronation/supination hand tapping, grasping and lifting, and finger and foot tapping. RESULTS: Our results revealed significantly higher Q-Motor values in pronation/supination and in grip lift force assessment in AD, FTD, and DLB compared to healthy controls (HC). Q-Motor values detected significant differences between AD and HC, while clinical ratings did not. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that quantitative measurements provide more objective and sensitive measurements of motor dysfunction in dementia.
BACKGROUND: This study examines the efficacy of using quantitative measurements of motor dysfunction, compared to clinical ratings, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 49 patients with a diagnosis of AD (n = 17), FTD (n = 19), or DLB (n = 13) were included and underwent cognitive testing, clinical motor evaluation, and quantitative motor tests: pronation/supination hand tapping, grasping and lifting, and finger and foot tapping. RESULTS: Our results revealed significantly higher Q-Motor values in pronation/supination and in grip lift force assessment in AD, FTD, and DLB compared to healthy controls (HC). Q-Motor values detected significant differences between AD and HC, while clinical ratings did not. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that quantitative measurements provide more objective and sensitive measurements of motor dysfunction in dementia.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease; Clinical motor evaluation; Dementia with Lewy bodies; Frontotemporal dementia; Motor abnormalities in dementia; Motor impairment; Motor skills; Movement disorders; Quantitative measures