Characteristics of handwriting of subjects with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a widespread neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms, some of which are noticeable in handwriting. The handwritings of two groups of 23 subjects each (people with multiple sclerosis and a comparison group), matched for age and gender, were compared, using the Roman-Staempfli Psychogram, a graphological charting system with seven additional categories. Of 50 indicators examined, statistical analysis showed means of 37 to be significantly different. The one-way analyses of variance showed that 26 of the 32 indicators originally expected to be significantly different between the groups were. 14 of the 17 predictions of higher MS scores were significantly confirmed as were 11 of the 15 predictions of lower MS scores. These results suggest that neurological damage is reflected in handwriting and can be measured graphologically for physical or psychological characteristics. Possible reasons for variance from the hypotheses were discussed.