These results show that declines in finger dexterity can reflect declining cognitive function, and that measurement of finger dexterity using our smart terminal device can facilitate screening of large groups for MCI or AD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 907-914.
Aim A testing method for early diagnosis of Mild cognitive dementia (MCI) that can be easily applied in clinical practice was investigated in this study. We examined whether MCI risk can be determined through finger movements. Methods Between 2013 and 2020, 1097 individuals were screened. After applying propensity-score matching to adjust for variability between the groups, 173 individuals each in the mild cognitive impairment and control groups were selected. Thereafter, differences between groups in mean values of parameters extracted from finger tap movements were determined using unpaired t-test and effect size. Furthermore, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve for parameters with significant difference. Results A significant difference was observed, especially in the number of taps in the MCI group compared with that in the control group ( p < .001; 95% CI, −12.7 to −8.8; r = 0.51). A cut-off value of 30 taps was applied (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.67; AUC, 0.79). Significant differences were also observed in rhythm-related parameters. Conclusions These parameters might be useful for capturing MCI risk. Finger taps are easily measured and may be suitable for screening large populations. This tool might be used as a supplemental method to increase the sensitivity of traditional cognitive tests.
Objective: Differences in finger movement characteristics during finger-tapping movements among Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients, and healthy elderly individuals were examined using a magnetic sensing finger-tap device (UB-2; Maxell, Tokyo), and relationships with cognitive function were investigated. Methods: Finger-tapping movements were measured and multiple comparisons using mean values of parameters from each group were conducted. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Spearman rank-correlation coefficients were used to analyze relationships between these parameters and MMSE scores. Results: Significant differences were observed in total traveling distance, standard deviation (SD) of contact duration, SD of inter-tapping interval, and SD of phase difference between left-and right-hand tapping. MMSE score showed a weak negative correlation with the SD of contact duration of the left hand (r = -0.28, p < 0.05). Weak positive correlations were observed in total traveling distance of the left hand (r = 0.3, p < 0.05) and right hand (r = 0.25, p < 0.05) and the inphase task for the right hand (r = 0.28, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These parameters may represent finger movements that are characteristic of AD and MCI.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.