ASSESSMENT OF MANUAL DEXTERITY IN PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS USING THE NINE HOLE PEG TEST

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the manual dexterity of people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis followed up at a Reference Center. Method: Field study, exploratory, descriptive, with a quantitative approach, carried out in an audience over 18 and under 60 years old, referring to 30% of 186 registered individuals, totaling a sample of 55 patients, characterized as non-probabilistic for convenience. It had as a variable the time of diagnosis and the score in the EDSS, using the nine hole peg test and a script for the collection in medical records as instruments. The data were statistically analyzed in a descriptive and analytical way. Results: Patients with an EDSS score <3 performed better on the test, while patients with a score> 3 had marked difficulties, requiring more time to perform it. Conclusion: Based on the results, it appears that the score on the EDSS is directly proportional to the performance of fine motor coordination of the upper limbs.