CMT Hand function + Disability of Arm + Shoulder

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Disabil Rehabil. 2009 May 20:1-8.

Hand function and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand in

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Eklund E, Svensson E, Hager-Ross C.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Section for Physiotherapy,

Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Purpose. The aim of the present study was to examine hand function and

disability in persons with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and to evaluate the

possible correlations between hand function and disability.

Methods. Nine male, 11 female (24-73 yrs) persons with CMT in northern Sweden

and a matched control group of 18 men, 22 women (21-73 yrs) participated in the

study. Measurements applied were tests of dexterity (Box and Block Test;

Nine-Hole Peg test), grip strength (Grippit®), tactile gnosis (Shape Texture

Identification test) and upper-limb disability (Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder

and Hand questionnaire, DASH).

Results. Hand function in CMT was reduced (p < 0.001) to about 60% of normal, as

indicated by each of the separate outcome measures as well as by a constructed

summary index of hand function. DASH score median was 38.8 (range 0-66.7) and

was clearly related to hand function (r = 0.64-0.83).

Conclusion. Reduced hand function in CMT was found at different dimensions

according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and

Health (ICF). We suggest that DASH can be used in persons with CMT, though

clinicians should be aware that patients might score lower than expected,

possibly because of a long process of adaptation when learning to live with a

slowly progressive disease.