Association between cognitive dysfunction and upper extremity performance in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that affects cognitive function and upper extremity performance.

AIM: To investigate cognitive impairment and upper extremity performance in individuals with MS and to compare these parameters with those of healthy controls.

METHODS

The study included 32 individuals with MS and 30 healthy controls. Participants were assessed using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), Nine-Hole Peg Test, Upper Extremity Y Balance Test, Jamar® Hand Dynamometer, Ruler-Drop Reaction Time Test, Upper Extremity Functional Index-20 (UEFI-20), Modified Push-up Test, and Touching Discs Test.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, individuals with MS demonstrated lower scores in spatial perception (Z = 3.162, p = 0.002, r = 0.40), motor praxis (Z = 2.085, p = 0.037, r = 0.26), visual-motor organization (Z = 4.827, p < 0.001, r = 0.61), thinking skills (Z = 4.300, p < 0.001, r = 0.55), attention parameters (Z = 4.550, p < 0.001, r = 0.53), and total LOTCA scores (Z = 4.796, p < 0.001, r = 0.61,). In individuals with MS, spatial perception was associated with upper extremity endurance (rho = 0.350, p = 0.049), dominant upper extremity coordination (rho = 0.469, p = 0.007), non-dominant upper extremity coordination (rho = 0.463, p = 0.008), and dominant upper extremity fine motor skills (rho = 0.361, p = 0.042). Visual-motor organization was associated with upper extremity endurance (rho = 0.598, p < 0.001), dominant upper extremity coordination (rho = 0.402, p = 0.023), dominant reaction time (rho = 0.385, p = 0.029), non-dominant reaction time (rho = 0.523, p = 0.002), and selected upper extremity balance parameters (p < 0.05). Attention was related to upper extremity endurance (rho = 0.355, p = 0.046), dominant grip strength (rho = 0.365, p = 0.040), and non-dominant grip strength (rho = 0.393, p = 0.027). Total LOTCA scores were associated with upper extremity endurance (rho = 0.036, p = 0.846).

CONCLUSION

Cognitive and upper extremity impairments coexist in MS, emphasizing cognitive assessment in rehabilitation.