Evaluation of muscle strength and manual dexterity in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Abstract

Study design: Matched pair study.

Introduction: Differences in hand-muscle strength/dexterity between dominant (DH) and non-dominant (NDH) hand in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are not well understood.

Purpose of the study: To compare muscle strength/dexterity between DH and NDH and to correlate manual dexterity, strength and sensory function.

Patients and methods: Thirty CMT patients were studied using functional muscle testing (FMT) and strength (dynamometry), dexterity (the Nine Hole Peg Test [NHPT]), and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function [JTT]), and sensory function (the Nottingham Sensory Assessment [NSA]).

Results: Scores were worse for DH than NDH on FMT (p = 0.043) and NHPT (p = 0.014) but not on JTT (p = 0.098), handgrip strength (p = 0.710) or tripod pinch (p = 0.645). NSA did not correlate significantly with any tests (p's0.05).

Conclusions: In CMT disease, DH appears more impaired than NDH in terms of function and dexterity. Greater muscle weakness in DH may also emerge as CMT progresses.

Level of evidence: 3b.

Keywords: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; Hand strength; Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy; Manual dexterity; Sensory function.