Research Information System
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, vol.9, no.3, pp.485-493, 2025 (ESCI, TRDizin)
Purpose: One of the most impacted regions is upper limb function, which lowers quality of life and involvement in daily living activities in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This study aimed to examine the relationship between function of upper extremity and manual dexterity with trunk control and neck muscle endurance in PwMS. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one relapsing-remitting type PwMS and 30 healthy controls with matched ages and genders participated in the study. Trunk control was evaluated with the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS); neck muscle endurance with the Extensor Endurance Test (EET) and Flexor Endurance Test (FET); upper extremity function and manual dexterity with the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) bilaterally, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire, and Coin Rotation Test (CRT) bilaterally. Results: TIS scores and EET times were lower, and dominant-nondominant 9-HPT times, DASH Questionnaire and dominant-nondominant CRT scores were higher in PwMS compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). Between the groups, there was no significant difference for FET times (p>0.05). In PwMS, FET times were only related to DASH Questionnaire scores, and EET times were related to DASH Questionnaire scores, nondominant 9-HPT times and CRT scores (r between -0.404 and -0.481; p<0.05). Except for some subparameters, TIS scores were related to 9-HPT and CRT times, and DASH Questionnaire scores (r between -0.401 and -0.767; p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Upper extremity function, manual dexterity, trunk control and neck muscle endurance, but not flexor muscle endurance, are affected in PwMS. In addition, neck muscle endurance, especially extensor neck muscle endurance, and trunk control seem to be related to upper extremity function and manual dexterity. Improving trunk control and neck muscle endurance may contribute to upper extremity function and manual dexterity in PwMS.