Effects of a Single Hand-Exercise Session on Manual Dexterity and Strength in Persons with Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effects on manual dexterity, hand grip, and pinch strength of a single intervention focused on hand exercises. Design: Randomized, controlled, blinded study. Patients: Sixty people with Parkinson disease (PD) were recruited; 30 participants were allocated to a brief exercise session and 30 to a control group. Interventions: Participants randomized to the experimental group received a 15-minute exercise session focused on hand training using therapeutic putty. Participants allocated to the control group performed active upper limb exercises. Main Outcome Measurements: Measures of manual dexterity (assessed by the Purdue Pegboard Test and the Chessington Occupational Therapy Neurologic Assessment Battery dexterity task) and strength (hand grip and pinch strength) were recorded at baseline and after the intervention. Results: Participants had significantly improved manual dexterity values (P <.05) after the intervention. They also had increased hand grip (P <.001) and pinch strength (P <.05). Conclusions: A single hand exercise session showed an improvement in manual dexterity and strength in persons with PD.