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Validity and reliability of a new tool to evaluate handwriting difficulties in Parkinson’s disease

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Listed:
  • Evelien Nackaerts
  • Elke Heremans
  • Bouwien C M Smits-Engelsman
  • Sanne Broeder
  • Wim Vandenberghe
  • Bruno Bergmans
  • Alice Nieuwboer

Abstract

Background: Handwriting in Parkinson’s disease (PD) features specific abnormalities which are difficult to assess in clinical practice since no specific tool for evaluation of spontaneous movement is currently available. Objective: This study aims to validate the ‘Systematic Screening of Handwriting Difficulties’ (SOS-test) in patients with PD. Methods: Handwriting performance of 87 patients and 26 healthy age-matched controls was examined using the SOS-test. Sixty-seven patients were tested a second time within a period of one month. Participants were asked to copy as much as possible of a text within 5 minutes with the instruction to write as neatly and quickly as in daily life. Writing speed (letters in 5 minutes), size (mm) and quality of handwriting were compared. Correlation analysis was performed between SOS outcomes and other fine motor skill measurements and disease characteristics. Intrarater, interrater and test-retest reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Patients with PD had a smaller (p = 0.043) and slower (p 0.769 for both groups). Conclusion: The SOS-test is a short and effective tool to detect handwriting problems in PD with excellent reliability. It can therefore be recommended as a clinical instrument for standardized screening of handwriting deficits in PD.

Suggested Citation

  • Evelien Nackaerts & Elke Heremans & Bouwien C M Smits-Engelsman & Sanne Broeder & Wim Vandenberghe & Bruno Bergmans & Alice Nieuwboer, 2017. "Validity and reliability of a new tool to evaluate handwriting difficulties in Parkinson’s disease," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0173157
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173157
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