The Finger Dexterity Test: validation study of a smartphone-based manual dexterity assessment
 
The Finger Dexterity Test: validation study of a smartphone-based manual dexterity assessment ■
 
, , , , , , Lars Costers, Lars Costers, Lars Costers, Annabel Descamps, Annabel Descamps, Annabel Descamps, , , , Ann Van Remoortel, Ann Van Remoortel, Ann Van Remoortel, Annick Van Merhaegen-Wieleman, Annick Van Merhaegen-Wieleman, Annick Van Merhaegen-Wieleman, Marie D'hooghe, Marie D'hooghe, Marie D'hooghe, Miguel D'Haeseleer, Miguel D'Haeseleer, Miguel D'Haeseleer, Dirk Smeets, Dirk Smeets, Dirk Smeets, Diana Maria Sima, Diana Maria Sima, Diana Maria Sima, Jeroen Van Schependom, Jeroen Van Schependom, Jeroen Van Schependom, , ,
 
Abstract ■

Background The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) is the golden standard in clinical practice to measure manual dexterity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, administration requires trained personnel and dedicated time during a clinical visit. Objective To validate a smartphone-based test for remote manual dexterity assessment, the icompanion Finger Dexterity Test (FDT), to be included into the icompanion application. Methods 65 MS and 81 healthy subjects performed a first testing session, and 21 healthy subjects performed a second session approximately two weeks later. Results The FDT significantly correlated with the 9HPT (dominant: Spearman{\textquoteright}s ρ=0.62, p<0.001; non-dominant: ρ=0.52, p<0.001). FDT scores showed a significant difference between the MS and healthy subjects (dominant: Cohen{\textquoteright}s d=0.24, p=0.015; non-dominant: Cohen{\textquoteright}s d=0.18, p=0.013), which was not the case for the 9HPT. A significant correlation with age (dominant: ρ=0.46, p<.001; non-dominant: ρ=0.40, p=0.002), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS, dominant: ρ=0.37, p=0.004; non-dominant: ρ=0.33, p=0.017), and disease duration for the non-dominant hand (ρ=0.31, p=0.016) was observed. Conclusion The icompanion Finger Dexterity Test shows a moderate-to-good concurrent validity, ecological validity and test-retest reliability, and differentiates between the MS subjects and healthy controls. This test can be implemented into routine MS care for remote follow-up of manual dexterity.