The Effect of Dual Task On Upper Extremity Functions In Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dual tasking on upper extremity functions in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and compare with healthy controls. Additionally, another aim of our study was to compare the cognitive status, quality of life, fatigue and emotional states of individuals with MS and healthy controls.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: dual task assessment

Detailed Description

The study was carried out at Kutahya Health Sciences University Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital. 30 individuals with MS and 30 healthy controls, aged 18-65, were included in the study. In the evaluation, demographic and clinical data were recorded first. The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test was used to evaluate the upper extremity function of the participants in single and dual task conditions, and the Dual Task Questionnaire was used to evaluate the difficulties experienced during dual tasks.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 60

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Kütahya, Turkey, 43100
    • Kutahya Health Sciences University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients having been diagnosed with MS and healthy volunteers

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis for at least 1 year
• Being between the ages of 18-65
• Being at least a primary school graduate
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• EDSS score between 1 and 6.5

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients whose Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis is uncertain
• Having additional neurological disease that may affect clinical evaluation
• Having a neurological and/or psychiatric disease that may affect cognitive tests
• Having had an attack in the last 3 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Control; healthy volunteers	Other: dual task assessment; The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test was used to evaluate the upper extremity function of the participants in single and dual task conditions, and the Dual Task Questionnaire was used to evaluate the difficulties experienced during dual tasks. In the dual-task turning test, in addition to the single-task turning test, they were given a cognitive task, the task of counting the months of the year backwards from December to January. The dual-task turning test was continued by changing hands at the end of each turn until the last disk was turned. Meanwhile, verbal fluency and hand errors made while spinning the disc were recorded.
MS; patients with multiple sclerosis	Other: dual task assessment; The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test was used to evaluate the upper extremity function of the participants in single and dual task conditions, and the Dual Task Questionnaire was used to evaluate the difficulties experienced during dual tasks. In the dual-task turning test, in addition to the single-task turning test, they were given a cognitive task, the task of counting the months of the year backwards from December to January. The dual-task turning test was continued by changing hands at the end of each turn until the last disk was turned. Meanwhile, verbal fluency and hand errors made while spinning the disc were recorded.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test	Upper Extremity Function Evaluation. The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test basically consists of two subtests, the placement and translation test. Completing the test faster indicates better dexterity.	30 minutes
Dual Task Questionnaire	Dual Task Difficulty Evaluation. The survey consists of 10 items and is scored out of 5 points per question. A higher total score indicates worse dual task performance.	10 minutes
Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire	Hand Preference Evaluation. The total scoring is between 100 and -100, individuals with more than 40 points are given right hand; Individuals in this score range from 40 to -40 inclusive are recorded as those who use both hands actively, and individuals with scores of -40 points and below are recorded as left-handed.	10 minutes
Expanded Disability Status Scale	Disability Status Evaluation. A score of 0 on the scale indicates normal neurological status, while a score of 10 means MS-related death.	10 minutes
Brief International Cognitive Assessment Battery for Multiple Sclerosis	Cognitive Status Evaluation. BICAMS comprises three tests, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the learning trials of the California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R).	15 minutes
Beck Depression Scale	Emotional Status Evaluation. The lowest score that can be obtained from the scale is 0 and the highest score is 63. According to the resulting total score; It results in absence-mild, mild-moderate, moderate-severe or severe.	10 minutes
Fatigue Impact Scale	Fatigue Status Evaluation. Each question receives a score between 0 (no problem) and 4 (maximum problem). The highest score is 160, and higher scores indicate fatigue.	5 minutes
Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire-54	Quality of Life Status Evaluation. The survey contains 54 questions consisting of 12 sections. Added 18 questions are about; general quality of life (2 items), health stress (4 items), sexual functions and satisfaction (5 items), cognitive functions (4 items), energy (1 item), pain (1 item) and social functions (1 item).	15 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): February 21, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): February 21, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Upper Extremity; Dual Task; Dual Task Effect
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: DTMS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: There is not a plan to make IPD available.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No