Impaired Manual Dexterity Research Articles

Motor cortex activation mediates associations between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in Parkinson's disease

IntroductionParkinson's disease (PD) presents with a progressive decline in manual dexterity, attributed to dysfunction in the basal ganglia-thalamus-cortex loop, influenced by dopaminergic deficits in the striatum. Recent research suggests that the motor cortex may play a pivotal role in mediating the relationship between striatal dopamine depletion and motor function in PD. Understanding this connection is crucial for comprehending the origins of manual dexterity impairments in PD. Therefore, our study aimed to explore how motor cortex activation mediates the association between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in PD. Materials and methodsWe enrolled 26 mildly affected PD patients in their off-medication phase to undergo [18F]FDOPA PET/CT scans for evaluating striatal dopaminergic function. EEG recordings were conducted during bimanual anti-phase finger tapping tasks to evaluate motor cortex activity, specifically focusing on Event-Related Desynchronization in the beta band. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. Regression-based mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether motor cortex activation mediates the association between striatal dopamine depletion and manual dexterity in PD. ResultsMediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of putamen dopamine depletion on manual dexterity for the affected hand and assembly tasks (performed with two hands), with motor cortex activity mediating this association. In contrast, while caudate nucleus dopamine depletion showed a significant direct effect on manual dexterity, motor cortex mediation on this association was not observed. ConclusionOur study confirms the association between striatum dopamine depletion and impaired manual dexterity in PD, with motor cortex activity mediating this relationship.

Post-Stroke Impairments of Manual Dexterity and Finger Proprioception: Their Contribution to Upper Limb Activity Capacity

Background Knowing how impaired manual dexterity and finger proprioception affect upper limb activity capacity is important for delineating targeted post-stroke interventions for upper limb recovery. Objectives To investigate whether impaired manual dexterity and finger proprioception explain variance in post-stroke activity capacity, and whether they explain more variance than conventional clinical assessments of upper limb sensorimotor impairments. Methods Activity capacity and hand sensorimotor impairments were assessed using clinical measures in N = 42 late subacute/chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. Dexterity was evaluated using the Dextrain Manipulandum to quantify accuracy of visuomotor finger force-tracking (N = 36), timing of rhythmic tapping (N = 36), and finger individuation (N = 24), as well as proprioception (N = 27). Stepwise multivariate and hierarchical linear regression models were used to identify impairments best explaining activity capacity. Results Dexterity and proprioceptive components significantly increased the variance explained in activity capacity: (i) Box and Block Test was best explained by baseline tonic force during force-tracking and tapping frequency (adjusted R2 = .51); (ii) Motor Activity Log was best explained by success rate in finger individuation (adjusted R2 = .46); (iii) Action Research Arm Test was best explained by release of finger force and proprioceptive measures (improved reaction time related to use of proprioception; adjusted R2 = .52); and (iv) Moberg Pick-Up test was best explained by proprioceptive function (adjusted R2 = .18). Models excluding dexterity and proprioception variables explained up to 19% less variance. Conclusions Manual dexterity and finger proprioception explain unique variance in activity capacity not captured by conventional impairment measures and should be assessed when considering the underlying causes of post-stroke activity capacity limitations. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03934073.

Development of a new immersive virtual reality (VR) headset-based dexterity training for patients with multiple sclerosis: Clinical and technical aspects.

Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activities of daily living and quality of life. To develop a new immersive virtual-reality (VR) headset-based dexterity training to improve impaired manual dexterity in persons with MS (pwMS) while being feasible and usable in a home-based setting. The training intervention was tailored to the specific group of pwMS by implementing a simple and intuitive application with regard to hardware and software. To be efficacious, the training intervention covers the main functions of the hands and arm relevant for use in everyday life. Taking clinical, feasibility, usability as well as technical aspects with regard to hardware and software into account, six different training exercises using hand tracking technology were developed on the Meta quest 2 using Unity. We report the developmental process of a new immersive virtual VR headset-based dexterity training for pwMS implementing clinical and technical aspects. Good feasibility, usability, and patient satisfaction was already shown in a feasibility study qualifying this training intervention for further efficacy trials.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation over supramarginal gyrus stimulates primary motor cortex directly and impairs manual dexterity: implications for TMS focality.

Based on human motor cortex, the effective spatial resolution of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is often described as 5-20 mm, because small changes in TMS coil position can have large effects on motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). MEPs are often studied at rest, with muscles relaxed. During muscle contraction and movement, corticospinal excitability is higher, thresholds for effective stimulation are lower, and MEPs can be evoked from larger regions of scalp, so the effective spatial resolution of TMS is larger. We found that TMS over the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) impaired manual dexterity in the grooved pegboard task. It also resulted in short-latency MEPs in hand muscles, despite the coil being 55 mm away from the motor cortex hand area (M1). MEPs might be evoked by either a specific corticospinal connection from SMG or a remote but direct electromagnetic stimulation of M1. To distinguish these alternatives, we mapped MEPs across the scalp during rest, isotonic contraction, and manual dexterity tasks and ran electric field simulations to model the expected M1 activation from 27 scalp locations and four coil orientations. We also systematically reviewed studies using TMS during movement. Across five experiments, TMS over SMG reliably evoked MEPs during hand movement. These MEPs were consistent with direct M1 stimulation and substantially decreased corticospinal thresholds during natural movement. Systematic review suggested that 54 published experiments may have suffered from similar motor activation confounds. Our results have implications for the assumed spatial resolution of TMS, and especially when TMS is presented within 55 mm of the motor cortex.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is often described as having an effective spatial resolution of ∼10 mm, because of the limited area of the scalp on which TMS produces motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in resting muscles. We find that during natural hand movement TMS evokes MEPs from a much larger scalp area, in particular when stimulating over the supramarginal gyrus 55 mm away. Our results show that TMS can be effective at much larger distances than generally assumed.

Ab. No. 42 Effect of Visual Perceptual Skills Training on Manual Dexterity and Functional Abilities in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series

Introduction: Globally, prevalence of ASD is rising alarmingly. Evidence synthesis on effective intervention strategies is crucial to bridge the knowledge gap. In addition to disruption in communication and social interaction, motor signs like impaired manual dexterity are frequently associated in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to investigate the positive impact of visual perceptual skills training along with functional training as these skills are closely related to daily activities and academic skills. Methods: Three school-aged children (between 8-12 years of age) diagnosed with ASD were included. Motor clumsiness was the primary concern of parents. Intervention was based on principles of sensory integration. It comprised functional training along with visual perceptual skills training including figure-ground discrimination, design copying, visual scanning, visual closure, and visual-motor integration. Manual dexterity was assessed by the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) before intervention and after 12 weeks of intervention. Besides, functional changes in activities like feeding, buttoning, writing, and copying from the board at inclusive schools were gauged. Result: All children showed improvement in manual dexterity as assessed by the 9HPT scores that changed from 49 to 40 seconds, 42 to 35 seconds, 45 to 37 seconds, respectively. In addition, BBT scores improved from 38 to 44 blocks, 41 to 49 blocks and 39 to 46 blocks, respectively. Independence in feeding and buttoning increased, apart from better efficiency in copying from board and writing. Conclusion: Visual perceptual skills training helped in improving manual dexterity in children with ASD. Moreover, independence in daily activities and academic skills were enhanced. Implications: This case series reveals that the effect of this approach is clinically significant in real life settings. However, it must be investigated on a larger population.

Feasibility and usability of a new home-based immersive virtual reality headset-based dexterity training in multiple sclerosis.

Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activities of daily living and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, usability and patient engagement/satisfaction of a home-based immersive virtual reality (VR) headset-based dexterity training in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). In addition, preliminary efficacy data on the impact of this new training on manual dexterity were collected. Single arm prospective study. After a waiting period of two weeks, pwMS performed a specifically developed home-based VR headset-based dexterity training using the Oculus quest 2 for two weeks with five training sessions/week, each session for approximately 20 minutes. Primary endpoints were feasibility (measured by the adherence rate), usability (System Usability Scale, SUS) and patient engagement/satisfaction (Custom User Engagement Questionnaire, CUEQ). Secondary exploratory efficacy endpoints, measured before and after the waiting period as well as after the training intervention, were the Nine-hole-Peg-Test (9HPT), Coin rotation task (CRT), Handheld JAMAR dynamometer, Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 (MSIS 29). Eleven pwMS (mean age 49 ± 10.87 SD, mean EDSS 4.28 ± 1.48 SD) participated in the study. Feasibility (adherence rate: 81.8%), usability (median SUS score 94 (IQR=78-96)) and patient engagement/satisfaction (median 8 on scale of 1-10) of the VR training was very high. In addition, the CRT for the dominant hand improved significantly after training (p=0.03). The good results on feasibility, usability, and patient engagement/satisfaction qualify this home-based immersive VR headset-based dexterity training approach for the use in home-based neurorehabilitation in pwMS. Improved fine motor skills for the dominant hand suggest preliminary efficacy, but this needs to be proven in a future randomized-controlled trials.

Home calligraphic exercises as manual dexterity training in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot feasibility study

Purpose To assess the feasibility and effects on manual dexterity and the quality of life (QoL) of a 12-week home calligraphic training program in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods A pilot study with participants recruited from the Movement Disorders consultation at the Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid). The main outcome, manual dexterity, was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT). Secondary outcomes included clinical rating scales that contemplate aspects related to manual dexterity (DextQ-24, UPDRSII, UPDRSIII), and QoL (PDQ-39 and EuroQoL-5D). Results Thirty PD patients (57% males) with a mean age of 66.11 (9.76) years and 93% adherence rate. The PPT scores improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from T0 (start of the study) to T1 (after 24 weeks). No statistically significant change was found in DextQ-24, UPDRS-II and UPDRS-III, but a clear improvement was observed in the QoL measurement: EuroQoL-5D (p < 0.0001), PDQ-39 (p < 0.0001) and modified PDQ-39 (p = 0.022). Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility and improvement in hand dexterity assessed by the PPT for patients diagnosed with PD after a 12-week home calligraphic training program. A significant improvement was noted in the QoL measurements, such as the PDQ-39, modified PDQ-39, and EuroQoL-5D. Implications for Rehabilitation Most patients with Parkinson’s disease suffer from impaired manual dexterity, making it difficult to perform activities of daily living such as eating, buttoning, or shaving. A 12-week home calligraphic training program could improve hand dexterity in these patients. The advantage of this home calligraphic trainingis is that it is an easy-to-perform, low-cost and no side effects. This training also improves their quality of life.

Cognitive, perceptual, and motor profiles of school-aged children with developmental coordination disorder.

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a heterogeneous condition. Besides motor impairments, children with DCD often exhibit poor visual perceptual skills and executive functions. This study aimed to characterize the motor, perceptual, and cognitive profiles of children with DCD at the group level and in terms of subtypes. A total of 50 children with DCD and 31 typically developing (TD) peers (7–11 years old) underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological (15 tests) and motor (three subscales of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2) assessment. The percentage of children with DCD showing impairments in each measurement was first described. Hierarchical agglomerative and K-means iterative partitioning clustering analyses were then performed to distinguish the subtypes present among the complete sample of children (DCD and TD) in a data-driven way. Moderate to large percentages of children with DCD showed impaired executive functions (92%) and praxis (meaningless gestures and postures, 68%), as well as attentional (52%), visual perceptual (46%), and visuomotor (36%) skills. Clustering analyses identified five subtypes, four of them mainly consisting of children with DCD and one of TD children. These subtypes were characterized by: (i) generalized impairments (8 children with DCD), (ii) impaired manual dexterity, poor balance (static/dynamic), planning, and alertness (15 DCD and 1 TD child), (iii) impaired manual dexterity, cognitive inhibition, and poor visual perception (11 children with DCD), (iv) impaired manual dexterity and cognitive inhibition (15 DCD and 5 TD children), and (v) no impairment (25 TD and 1 child with DCD). Besides subtle differences, the motor and praxis measures did not enable to discriminate between the four subtypes of children with DCD. The subtypes were, however, characterized by distinct perceptual or cognitive impairments. These results highlight the importance of assessing exhaustively the perceptual and cognitive skills of children with DCD.

Diabetic neuropathy is a generalized phenomenon with impact on hand functional performance and quality of life.

Diabetic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy is usually considered to affect predominantly the lower limbs (LL-N), whereas the impact of upper limb neuropathy (UL-N) on hand functional performance and quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated systematically. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of UL-N and its functional and psychosocial consequences in type 2 diabetes. Individuals with type 2 diabetes (n= 141) and an age- and sex-matched control group (n= 73) underwent comprehensive assessment of neuropathy, hand functional performance, and psychosocial status. The prevalence of UL-N was 30.5% in patients with diabetes and that of LL-N was 49.6%, with 25.5% exhibiting both. Patients with diabetes showed similar sensory phenotype regarding both large and small fiber functions in hands and feet. Patients with UL-N showed reduced manual dexterity, but normal hand grip force. Additionally, there was a correlation between reduced dexterity and sensory deficits. Patients with UL-N had reduced estimates of psychosocial health including health-related QoL compared to control subjects and patients without UL-N. UL-N correlated with the severity of LL-N, but not with duration of diabetes, glycemia, age, or sex. This study points to a substantial prevalence of UL-N in type 2 diabetes. The sensory phenotype of patients with UL-N was similar to LL-N and was characterized by loss of sensory function. Our study demonstrated an association of UL-N with impaired manual dexterity and reduced health-related QoL. Thus, upper limb sensorimotor functions should be assessed early in patients with diabetes.

Adherence to the ambulatory peritoneal dialysis procedure and limitations of care of older adults or their caregivers

BackgroundContinuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is an appropriate technique for older adults and its success is mainly based on the correct exchange technique. However, individuals may present barriers to compliance, due to deterioration of physical and cognitive function, depression, and prevalence of visual impairments. Objective and methodologyA descriptive correlational study was conducted to determine the relationship between adherence to the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis procedure and the limitations of care for older adults with chronic renal failure or their caregivers. For convenience, 54 participants from two institutions were selected. A home visit was made at exchange times and a certificate of sociodemographic variables was applied, data such as training days, time of performing the procedure and number of home visits they received were included. Adherence to the procedure was evaluated with a checklist of correctly performed steps in the dialysis technique with Ultra Bag® twin bag equipment (from Baxter). To measure care limitations, we evaluated near visual acuity with Jaeger's equivalent primer, visual fields with the confrontational visual field test, manual sensory dexterity and acuity with Moberg's Pick-Up test, cognitive function using Folstein's MMSE, and depressive symptoms using the CES-D20 instrument. Results and conclusionsIn adherence to the procedure, participants correctly performed an average of 23.42 (SD ± 5.54) steps, which corresponds to 71.72% of the technique. Regarding care limitations, 55.6% presented impaired near visual acuity, 29.6% visual field deficit, 33.3% impaired manual dexterity, 14.8% alteration in manual sensory acuity, 46.3% possible impairment of cognitive function, and 18.5% depressive symptomatology. Participants with greater adherence to the CAPD procedure had better dexterity in the dominant (p = 0.010) and non-dominant (p = 0.010) hand, better sensory acuity of the non-dominant hand (p = 0.023), and greater cognitive function (p = 0.044). It is concluded that the care limitations (manual dexterity, manual sensory acuity, and cognitive function) are related to adherence to the dialytic procedure.

Motor signature of autism spectrum disorder in adults without intellectual impairment

Motor signs such as dyspraxia and abnormal gait are characteristic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, motor behavior in adults with ASD has scarcely been quantitatively characterized. In this pilot study, we aim to quantitatively examine motor signature of adults with ASD without intellectual impairment using marker-less visual-perceptive motion capture. 82 individuals (37 ASD and 45 healthy controls, HC) with an IQ > 85 and aged 18 to 65 years performed nine movement tasks and were filmed by a 3D-infrared camera. Anatomical models were quantified via custom-made software and resulting kinematic parameters were compared between individuals with ASD and HCs. Furthermore, the association between specific motor behaviour and severity of autistic symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2, Autism Spectrum Quotient) was explored. Adults with ASD showed a greater mediolateral deviation while walking, greater sway during normal, tandem and single leg stance, a reduced walking speed and cadence, a greater arrhythmicity during jumping jack tasks and an impaired manual dexterity during finger tapping tasks (p < 0.05 and |D|> 0.48) compared to HC. Furthermore, in the ASD group, some of these parameters correlated moderately to severity of ASD symptoms. Adults with ASD seem to display a specific motor signature in this disorder affecting movement timing and aspects of balance. The data appear to reinforce knowledge about motor signs reported in children and adolescents with ASD. Also, quantitative motor assessment via visual-perceptive computing may be a feasible instrument to detect subtle motor signs in ASD and perhaps suitable in the diagnosis of ASD in the future.

The coin rotation test: a reliable and valid test in people with Parkinson's disease

Purpose To investigate: (1) the interrater, and test–retest reliability of the coin rotation test (CRT) in people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD); (2) the minimum detectable change in the CRT; (3) the concurrent and known-groups validity of the CRT; and (4) the cut-off times that best discriminate PwPD from healthy people and functionally dependent PwPD from functionally independent PwPD. Method Forty-eight PwPD and 33 healthy people were included. The CRT was administered with the nine-hole peg test, Movement Disorders Society Sponsored Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, and Schwab and England Scale. Results The CRT had excellent interrater and test–retest reliability. Minimal detectable changes were 5.96 and 8.23 s for the dominant and non-dominant hand, respectively. The CRT correlated with other outcome measures. Significant differences in the CRT times were found between PwPD and healthy people, and between functionally dependent PwPD and functionally independent PwPD. The cut-off times of 12.66 s on the dominant hand and 15.76 s on the non-dominant best discriminated PwPD from healthy people, while 22.99 s on the dominant hand and 23.48 s on the non-dominant best discriminated functionally dependent PwPD from functionally independent PwPD. Conclusions The CRT is a reliable, and clinically available tool for assessing manual dexterity in PwPD. Implications for rehabilitation The coin rotation test is a reliable, valid, and clinically available tool for assessing manual dexterity in Parkinson's Disease. The minimal detectable changes of the coin rotation test are 5.96 s for dominant hand and 8.23 s for the non-dominant hand, which may useful for clinicians and researchers to detect in any true change in manual dexterity after any intervention. The coin rotation test correlated with Parkinson's Disease-specific measurement tools. The coin rotation test times may detect impaired manual dexterity between people with Parkinson's Disease and healthy people, and between functionally dependent and functionally independent in Parkinson's Disease population.

Sex differences across developmental domains among children with a familial risk of severe mental disorders.

Sex differences in brain structure and neurodevelopment occur in non-clinical populations. We investigated whether sex had a similar effect on developmental domains amongst boys and girls with a familial risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ), bipolar disorder (FHR-BP), and controls. Through Danish registries, we identified 522 7-year-old children (242 girls) with FHR-SZ, FHR-BP, and controls. We assessed their performance within the domains of neurocognition, motor function, language, social cognition, social behavior, psychopathology, and home environment. FHR-SZ boys compared with FHR-SZ girls had a higher proportion of disruptive behavior and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and exhibited lower performance in manual dexterity, balance, and emotion recognition. No sex differences were found between boys and girls within FHR-BP group. Compared with controls, both FHR-SZ boys and FHR-SZ girls showed impaired processing speed and working memory, had lower levels of global functioning, and were more likely to live in an inadequate home environment. Compared with control boys, FHR-SZ boys showed impaired manual dexterity, social behavior, and social responsiveness, and had a higher proportion of ADHD and disruptive behavior disorder diagnoses. Stress and adjustment disorders were more common in FHR-BP boys compared with control boys. We found no differences between FHR-BP girls and control girls. Impairment within neurodevelopmental domains associated within FHR-SZ boys v. FHR-SZ girls was most evident among boys, whereas no sex differences were found within the FHR-BP group (FHR-BP boys v. FHR-BP girls). FHR-SZ boys exhibited the highest proportion of early developmental impairments.

Combination of Comorbidities as a Reference Standard for Evaluating Auditory Processing Disorder: Response to the Letter to the Editor From Schow et al. (2021).

Concerns expressed by Schow et al. (2021) around the evidence-based diagnostic criteria suggested by Ahmmed (2021a) are addressed here. The use of combination of comorbidities as a reference standard for evaluating auditory processing tests is a valid strategy, consistent with the Research Domain Criteria framework from the National Institute of Mental Health as well as the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. The correlations between auditory processing tests and some comorbidities in Ahmmed (2021a) were significant at p < .01. The low sensitivity and specificity reported was not related to the principle of using comorbidities as a reference standard but due to the choice of comorbidities combined in the reference standard. Ahmmed (2021a) suggested the option of inclusion of other comorbidities in addition to language impairment and impaired manual dexterity in the reference standard. Visual processing impairment could be considered as the additional comorbidity to improve sensitivity and specificity of the approach suggested by Ahmmed (2021a).

Validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test for the assessment of tip pinch strength in Parkinson's disease

BackgroundThe tip pinch is one of the most delicate and precise movement of the hand, and it is used to manipulate small objects, commonly observed in the activities of daily living of any individuals. Individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) with impaired manual dexterity, manipulative skills, and hand weakness have an important barrier for activities of daily life. However, the dynamometer usually used for measuring the tip pinch have a high cost, so, validate a sphygmomanometer can make this assessment more accessible. ObjectiveTo investigate the validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test in the evaluation of tip pinch strength when compared to the gold standard. Methods50 individuals with idiopathic PD took part in the study. The muscle strength of tip pinch on the dominant and non-dominant side was measured by the modified sphygmomanometer test and the gold standard, the dynamometer. Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results50 individuals diagnosed with idiopathic PD, mean age of 67 ± 8.0 years, 68% male, mean time of diagnosis in months of 84 ± 66 and Hoehn and Yahr mean of 2.5 ± 0.6. There was a significant correlation of moderate magnitude between the modified sphygmomanometer test and the dynamometer in dominant side (r = 0.44; p < 0.01) and non-dominant side (r = 0.48; p < 0.01). ConclusionThe modified sphygmomanometer test showed adequate validity for assessing the muscle strength of the tip pinch in individuals with PD.

Auditory Processing Disorder and Its Comorbidities: A Need for Consistency in Test Cutoff Scores.

Purpose No gold standard criteria exist for diagnosing developmental auditory processing disorder (APD). This study aimed to identify APD criteria, which are consistent with that used for comorbidities, and how comorbidities predicted APD. Method A retrospective study of 167 participants (males = 105, females = 62; age: 6-16 years; nonverbal IQ > 80) with suspected APD is presented. Five SCAN-3 tests evaluated auditory processing (AP). Comorbidities included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, language impairment, and impaired manual dexterity, which were identified using percentile ≤ 5 in the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham parental rating scale; Children's Communication Checklist-2; and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, respectively. Results Percentiles ≤ 9, ≤ 5, and < 2 in two or more AP tests had sensitivities (specificities) of 76% (70.6%), 59.3% (76.5%), and 26% (82.4%), respectively, in predicting comorbidities, which were present in 150 of the 167 participants. The criterion of "≤ 9 percentile in two or more AP tests" (Approach I) diagnosed APD in 119 participants, and criterion "≤ 5 percentile in two or more AP tests or ≤ 5 percentile in one AP plus one or more measures of comorbidities" (Approach II) diagnosed 123. The combination of approaches diagnosed 128 participants (76.6%) with APD, of which 114 were diagnosed by each approach (89%). Language impairment and impaired manual dexterity, but not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predicted APD. Conclusions "Percentile ≤ 9 in two or more AP tests" or "percentile ≤ 5 in one AP plus one or more measures of comorbidities" are evidence-based APD diagnostic criteria. Holistic and interprofessional practice evaluating comorbidities including motor skills is important for APD.

Kidney failure after lung transplantation in systemic scleroderma: a case report with literature review

BackgroundSystemic scleroderma (SSc) involves multiple organs including the skin, the lung, the kidney, and the esophagus. Nowadays, patient life prognosis has substantially improved due to more appropriate management of lung complications, including lung transplantation. However, the extension of their survival may increase SSc patients with chronic kidney diseases and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT).Case presentationA 51-year-old female with SSc who underwent unilateral deceased-donor lung transplantation was referred because of progressive renal dysfunction. Despite no episodes of scleroderma renal crisis, her renal function gradually deteriorated for 2 years with her serum creatinine level increasing from 0.5 mg/dL at transplantation to 4.3 mg/dL. Although we reinforced antihypertensive treatment and reduced calcineurin inhibitor dose, she thereafter developed symptomatic uremia. Due to impaired manual dexterity with contracture of the interphalangeal joints, no caregivers at home, and kidney transplantation donor unavailability, maintenance hemodialysis was chosen as RRT modality. Further, due to the narrowing of superficial vessels in the sclerotic forearm skin and post-transplant immunocompromised status, the native left brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula was created. Post-operative course was uneventful while any sign of cutaneous infection and pulmonary hypertension was closely monitored. Our literature review also indicates several difficulties with initiating and maintaining RRT in patients with SSc although case reports of kidney failure after lung transplanation in SSc were not accumulated.ConclusionsWith respect to initiating RRT for post-lung transplant patients with SSc, the clinical course of our case exemplifies recent complex trends of renal management. The optimal modality with secured initiation of RRT should be carefully determined based on the severity and risk for the cardiopulmonary, peripheral vascular, cutaneous, and systemic or local infectious complications.

Evaluation of Three Field Rewarming Techniques During Cold Weather Military Training

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 rewarming techniques to determine how warfighters, and perhaps other populations in wilderness environments, should prioritize field rewarming options after a brief accidental immersion in cold water. As part of a cold weather military training exercise, 31 military personnel (mean±SD age: 26±5 y, height: 180±10 cm, weight: 83.2±10.9 kg) completed a 10-min immersion in cold (0°C) water and subsequently rewarmed for 60 min using 3 different field rewarming techniques (sleeping bag, sleeping bag+ warm fluids, or exercise). Heart rate, core and skin temperatures, thermal and shivering sensations, and manual dexterity (intravenous setup and insertion) were measured during the training exercise. Cold water immersion decreased core temperature (pre: 37.4±0.4; post: 36.4±1.0°C; P<0.001) and mean skin temperature (pre: 27.9±1.3; post: 15.6±1.8°C; P<0.001) and impaired manual dexterity (intravenous insertion time, pre: 71±12, post: 166±48 s; P<0.001). Recovery from mild cold stress was similar among all 3 rewarming techniques for all measurements. Findings suggesting similar rewarming responses in field settings are beneficial for the warfighter, and perhaps others, in that rewarming options exist and can be implemented with no compromise in recovery from cold stress.

A transdisciplinary protocol evaluating auditory processing disorder (APD) in children using speech and non-speech stimuli and tools for common co-morbidities: time to re-evaluate APD diagnostic criteria

Purpose Effective combination of speech and non-speech tests, using pass–fail cut-off criteria consistent with that used to diagnose co-morbidities, in evaluating APD are explored. Method Retrospective- analysis of 80 children, 8 to 12 years-old, undergoing APD assessment. Filtered Words, Auditory Figure Ground 0 dB, Competing Words, Competing Sentences and Time Compressed Sentences from SCAN-3:C battery were used as speech tests and non-speech tests included Dichotic Digits, Gap Detection and Frequency Pattern. Comorbidities evaluated were language impairment, attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and impaired manual dexterity, using cut-off ≤ 10th centile in appropriate tools. Results Seventy-three participants (91.25%) were diagnosed with APD (≤ 9th centile in at least two tests) using speech plus non-speech tests. Speech tests alone diagnosed 60 (82%) and additional low linguistic load/non-speech tests helped in identifying the other 13 (18%). Sixty-six participants (82.5%) had APD plus co-morbidities, seven (8.75%) had APD only and the other seven (8.75%) had comorbidities without APD. Conclusions Initial evaluation by SCAN-3 battery followed by non-speech tests if necessary, will reduce test duration and improve child friendliness. Overlap between APD and comorbidities consistent with the literature is achieved if consistent pass/fail cut-off are used. The use of comorbidities to compare APD diagnostic criteria need to be explored.

Abstract WP208: Lower Fractional Anisotropy in White Matter Tracts is Associated With Decreased Manipulative Manual Dexterity Higher Circulating Ceramide Levels in Healthy High-Risk Middle-Aged Individuals

Introduction: We previously reported impaired manipulative manual dexterity measured by grooved peg-board test (GPBT) in healthypeople with increased total brain ischemic white matter hyperintensities. We hypothesized that preclinical white matter tract damage (WMTD), measured as lower regional fractional anisotropy (rFA), is associated with functional decrements measured with GPBT, and with a biomarker of white matter disease, serum ceramides. Methods: Participants were recruited from the GeneSTAR study in families with a history of coronary artery disease. Diffusion tensor imaging was acquired on a Phillips 3T MRI and rFA was calculated using the 181 Eve segmented atlas. 48 susceptible regions for WMTD were analyzed.Liquid chromatography was used to measure ceramides (C). Spearman’s rank correlation (SRC) was used to test statistical associations and Bonferroni method was used to correct for multiple comparisons. Multivariate analysis (GEE) adjusting for age, sex, race and education was performed for associations that were significant in the univariate analyses. Result: Subjects (n=112) were 49±11 years; 49% male and 39% African American. rFA was correlated with decrements on GPBT in the left (L) anterior corona radiata, L genu of the corpus callosum (LGCC), L external capsule, and L &amp; right fornix (RF) (P=0.0009, 0.0008, 0.0002, 0.0003 and 8.2E-07, respectively). Additionally, rFA was negatively correlated with C18:0 in the RF and LGCC (P=1.27E-05 and 2.58E-05, respectively) and C20:0 in RF (P=6.09E-06). C18:0 was correlated with decrements on GPBT (P=0.0025). GEE showed associations between decremental GPBT and rFA in the RF (B = -0.52, 95% CI -1 - 0.03, p= 0.037), between rFA in the RF and Ceramide (C18:0, B= -0.03, 95% CI -0.046--0.0073, p=0.007, C20:0, B=-0.0002, 95%CI -0.0003-0, P= 0.018), as well as rFA in LGCC and Ceramide (C18:0, B=-0.0097, 95% CI -0.019--0.006, P=0.037). GBPT and ceramides were not associated when adjusted for rFA (B = 0.0002 95% CI -0.052 - 0.052 P= 0.99). Conclusion: These analyses support our hypothesis that preclinical WMTD represented by reduced rFA, may undermine neural networks affecting manipulative manual dexterity, with concomitant elevation in serum ceramides in healthy high risk people.