Use of Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test in evaluating the hand dexterity in people with Parkinson's disease

ObjectivesTo investigate the test-retest reliability of JTT in older patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); and to compare the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) scores between PD and healthy subjects.Study designCross-sectional comparative study.MethodsFifteen PD and fifteen healthy subjects performed the JTT and the time taken to complete the JTT was recorded.ResultsTest-retest reliabilities of JTT subtests and total score of both dominant and non-dominant hand were good to excellent (ICCs = 0.77–0.97) except J5 checkers which had moderate reliability. PD subjects required significantly longer time to finish subtests and the whole JTT (p < 0.05), except the subtest J1 writing of dominant hand that showed marginal significance (p = 0.059).ConclusionJTT is a reliable and easily available assessment tool for assessing the hand function of PD subjects. PD subjects took a longer time to complete the JTT, suggesting that they have deficits in gross and fine functional dexterity.