Objective: We assessed upper extremity function of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients by quantitative finger tapping test and checked the correlation with other clinical indicators.

Background: Movement disorders in iNPH are represented by gait disturbance (i.e., lower body bradykinesia). However, upper extremity bradykinesia was frequently found among iNPH patients.

Methods: We evaluated the 10-second right hand finger tapping movements of 11 patients (age: 79.0 ± 4.0 y; males: 8, females: 3) using magnetic-sensor coil system. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and frontal assessment battery (FAB). Symptoms and tapping parameters were evaluated before and after shunt surgery.

Results: After surgery, MMSE increased from 22.5 ± 3.7 to 25.7 ± 3.1 (p =0.01), FAB increased from 11.6 ± 2.7 to 15.0 ± 1.5 (p =0.004) and iNPHGS improved from 7.3 ± 2.1 to 3.7 ± 1.0 (p =0.004). Among finger tapping parameters, total tapping distance decreased from 3052.6 ± 1177.4 to 2346.0 ± 368.9 (p < 0.001). Transitions of FAB and total tapping distance were negatively correlated (Spearman r = -0.58, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Finger tapping movement changed after shunt surgery in parallel with frontal lobe function. Our data support the diagnostic value of quantitative finger tapping test for estimating upper extremity bradykinesia underlying the iNPH symptomatology.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/finger-tapping-distance-in-idiopathic-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-changes-in-parallel-with-frontal-lobe-function/