Evaluation of muscle strength and manual dexterity in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Study designMatched pair study.IntroductionDifferences in hand-muscle strength/dexterity between dominant (DH) and non-dominant (NDH) hand in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are not wellunderstood.Purpose of the studyTo compare muscle strength/dexterity between DH and NDH and to correlate manual dexterity, strength and sensory function.Patients and methodsThirty CMT patients were studied using functional muscle testing (FMT) and strength (dynamometry), dexterity (the Nine Hole Peg Test [NHPT]), and Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function [JTT]), and sensory function (the Nottingham Sensory Assessment [NSA]).ResultsScores were worse for DH than NDH on FMT (p = 0.043) and NHPT (p = 0.014) but not on JTT (p = 0.098), handgrip strength (p = 0.710) or tripod pinch (p = 0.645). NSA did not correlate significantly with any tests (p′s0.05).ConclusionsIn CMT disease, DH appears more impaired than NDH in terms of function and dexterity. Greater muscle weakness in DH may also emerge as CMT progresses.Level of evidence3b.