Comparison of hand dexterity and hand laterality task in duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with typically developing peers

Background: Hand dexterity is important with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare hand dexterity and hand laterality task assessments in patients with DMD with typically-developing peers.

Methods: The study included 25 DMD with a mean age of 10.2±2.38 and 21 typically-developing peers with a mean age of 10.33±2.26. Functional levels of DMD patients were determined by Brooke Upper Extremity Functional Classification Scale and Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Scale. The ABILHAND-Kids and 9-hole peg test were used to assess the hand dexterity of all participants, and assess the hand laterality task.

Results: Patients with DMD had lower ABILHAND-Kids scores than their typically-developing peers (p < 0.001). Patients with DMD had higher 9-hole peg test duration on the dominant and non-dominant extremity compared to typically-developing peers (p < 0.001). Patients with DMD were found to be different from their typically-developing peers (p < 0.001) in lateralization response time and accuracy.

Conclusion: Patients with DMD were found to have lower manual dexterity and hand laterality task skills compared to their typically-developing peers. It is recommended that hand dexterity and upper extremity recognition capacities should be considered in assessment and intervention programs for physiotherapists and clinicians working in this field.