The BRAIN test: a keyboard-tapping test to assess disability and clinical features of multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The BRadykinesia Akinesia INcordination (BRAIN) test is an online keyboard-tapping test previously validated as a sensitive tool for detecting signs of Parkinson's disease.

Objectives

To determine whether the BRAIN test can measure disability in MS and identify the presence of pyramidal or cerebellar dysfunction.

Methods

Kinesia scores (KS, number of key taps in 30 s), akinesia times (AT, mean dwell time on each key) and incoordination scores (IS, variance of travelling time between keys) were calculated in 39 MS patients. These were correlated against the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, pyramidal and cerebellar functional system scores and 9-hole peg test scores.

Results

EDSS correlated with KS (r = - 0.594, p < 0.001), AT (r = 0.464

SUBMITTER: Shribman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5808056 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature