Home-based training to improve manual dexterity in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamm, Christian P; Mattle, Heinrich P; Müri, René M; Heldner, Mirjam R; Blatter, Verena; Bartlome, Sandrine; Lüthy, Judith; Imboden, Debora; Pedrazzini, Giovanna; Bohlhalter, Stephan; Hilfiker, Roger; Vanbellingen, Tim
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 12(2015)
• Page Start: 1546
• Page End: 1556
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- manual dexterity -- hand function -- home-based training program -- controlled clinical trials -- randomized -- manual therapies; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514565959
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized, home-based training program to improve manual dexterity and dexterity-related ADL in MS patients. Methods: This was a randomized, rater-blinded controlled trial. Thirty-nine MS patients acknowledging impaired manual dexterity and having a pathological Coin Rotation Task (CRT), Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT) or both were randomized 1:1 into two standardized training programs, the dexterity training program and the theraband training program. Patients trained five days per week in both programs over a period of 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures performed at baseline and after 4 weeks were the CRT, 9HPT and a dexterous-related ADL questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures were the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI-8) and the JAMAR test. Results: The dexterity training program resulted in significant improvements in almost all outcome measures at study end compared with baseline. The theraband training program resulted in mostly non-significant improvements. Conclusion: The home-based dexterity training program significantly improved manual dexterity and dexterity-related ADL in moderately disabled MS patients. Trial Registration NCT01507636.