Background: Impaired dexterity is a common symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been related to limb kinetic apraxia (LKA). LKA negatively influenced activities of daily living (ADL) in PD. However, the impact on quality of life (QoL) remains to be clarified, which was the aim of the current study.
Methods: Eighty nondemented patients with PD and 60 age-matched, sex-matched healthy individuals participated in this study. The 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire was used to measure QoL. Dexterity was assessed by the coin rotation (CR) task and the ADL-related Dexterity Questionnaire 24. Nonmotor symptoms were monitored with part I of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and motor symptoms were measured with parts II and III of the modified Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.
Results: Regression analysis revealed that dexterity scores controlled for parkinsonian motor symptoms were a strong and independent predictor of QoL in patients with PD.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the strong association of impaired dexterity and QoL is independent of bradykinesia, thereby underscoring the clinical relevance of LKA in PD.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease; dexterity; limb‐kinetic apraxia; quality of life.