Training with Non-dominant Limb: A Helpful Strategy for Motor Function and Dual-task Cost in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

authors:

avatar Shahzad Tahmasebi Boroujeni ORCID 1 , * , avatar Arash Abbasnia 2 , avatar Masoumeh Doosti ORCID 3

Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sports Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
MS. Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sports Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
PhD Candidate in Motor Learning, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sports Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Journal of Motor Control and Learning: Vol.5, issue 3; 24-29
published online: August 03, 2023
article type: Research Article
received: April 24, 2023
accepted: July 29, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61186/ijmcl.5.3.24

how to cite: Tahmasebi Boroujeni S, Abbasnia A, Doosti M. Training with Non-dominant Limb: A Helpful Strategy for Motor Function and Dual-task Cost in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. J Motor Control Learn. 2023;5(3):e143465. https://doi.org/10.61186/ijmcl.5.3.24.

Abstract

Background: The use of the inter-limb transfer mechanism in the rehabilitation of Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of non-dominant hand training on motor function and dual-task cost in MS patients. 
Methods: 22 women with a mean age of 44.09 ± 7.26 years and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.83 ± 0.76 were randomly divided into control (n=11) and experimental (n=11) groups. Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and Dual-Task Cost test (DTC) took as pre-tests from the participants. Post-test was taken 24 hours after the last intervention session and the retention test one week later. 
Results: The results showed that the motor function (NHPT and BBT) of the experimental group improved in both dominant and non-dominant hands (P≤0.05). However, a significant decrease was observed in both dominant and non-dominant hands in the control group for NHPT and BBT (P≤ 0.05). Also, the experimental group had a lower Dual-Task Cost than the control (P < 0.001) in the post-test. 
Conclusion: According to the results, inter-limb transfer mechanisms can be used in the rehabilitation of MS patients in both motor and cognitive dimensions.

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