TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigating the associations between upper limb motor function and cognitive impairment
T2 - a scoping review
AU - Rudd, Kaylee D.
AU - Lawler, Katherine
AU - Callisaya, Michele L.
AU - Alty, Jane
N1 - Funding Information:
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is supported by J.O. and J.R. Wicking Trust (Equity Trustees) and the University of Tasmania.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Upper limb motor function is a potential new biomarker of cognitive impairment and may aid discrimination from healthy ageing. However, it remains unclear which assessments to use. This study aimed to explore what methods have been used and to describe associations between upper limb function and cognitive impairment. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science. A systematic search was undertaken, including synonyms for key concepts ‘upper limb’, ‘motor function’ and ‘cognitive impairment’. Selection criteria included tests of upper limb motor function and impaired cognition in adults. Analysis was by narrative synthesis. Sixty papers published between 1998 and 2022, comprising 41,800 participants, were included. The most common assessment tasks were finger tapping, Purdue Pegboard Test and functional tasks such as writing. Protocols were diverse in terms of equipment used and recording duration. Most participants were recruited from clinical settings. Alzheimer’s Disease was the most common cause of cognitive impairment. Results were mixed but, generally, slower speed, more errors, and greater variability in upper limb movement variables was associated with cognitive impairment. This review maps the upper limb motor function assessments used and summarises the available evidence on how these associate with cognitive impairment. It identifies research gaps and may help guide protocols for future research. There is potential for upper limb motor function to be used in assessments of cognitive impairment.
AB - Upper limb motor function is a potential new biomarker of cognitive impairment and may aid discrimination from healthy ageing. However, it remains unclear which assessments to use. This study aimed to explore what methods have been used and to describe associations between upper limb function and cognitive impairment. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science. A systematic search was undertaken, including synonyms for key concepts ‘upper limb’, ‘motor function’ and ‘cognitive impairment’. Selection criteria included tests of upper limb motor function and impaired cognition in adults. Analysis was by narrative synthesis. Sixty papers published between 1998 and 2022, comprising 41,800 participants, were included. The most common assessment tasks were finger tapping, Purdue Pegboard Test and functional tasks such as writing. Protocols were diverse in terms of equipment used and recording duration. Most participants were recruited from clinical settings. Alzheimer’s Disease was the most common cause of cognitive impairment. Results were mixed but, generally, slower speed, more errors, and greater variability in upper limb movement variables was associated with cognitive impairment. This review maps the upper limb motor function assessments used and summarises the available evidence on how these associate with cognitive impairment. It identifies research gaps and may help guide protocols for future research. There is potential for upper limb motor function to be used in assessments of cognitive impairment.
KW - Cognitive impairment
KW - Dementia
KW - Mild cognitive impairment
KW - Motor function
KW - Upper limb
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85162139306&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11357-023-00844-z
DO - 10.1007/s11357-023-00844-z
M3 - Review Article
C2 - 37337026
AN - SCOPUS:85162139306
SN - 2509-2715
VL - 45
SP - 3449
EP - 3473
JO - GeroScience
JF - GeroScience
ER -