NCT02925273

Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia

The Effect of Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia or Suspected Frontal Lobe Dysfunction

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1 (actual)
• Sponsor: Rowan University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In this study, the investigators will determine the difference between the two techniques used to elicit the grasp response in patients with frontal lobe dysfunction, primarily in dementia patients versus control patients.

Detailed description

The goal of this project is to determine the optimal technique to elicit the grasping response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction. The proposed study is to perform two techniques to elicit grasp response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction and observe the presence or absence of the response and prominence of the response on a proposed rating scale. Future goals will be aimed at aiding clinicians in refining their clinical techniques to be more sensitive for diagnosing frontal lobe dysfunctions.

Conditions

• Dementia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation	The patient will then be asked to keep the arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will slightly stroke palm and fingers of both hands of the patient simultaneously. After completion of each technique, the presence or absence of the response will be noted. In addition, the prominence of the response on the rating scale will be obtained as explained below. The scaling of the grasp response is as followed: 1. Flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint of the hand 2. Flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand 3. Flexion at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the hand
OTHER	standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation	The patient will be asked to put their arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will hold one hand at the wrist and dorsum of the palm and lightly stroke the palm and fingers. The patient will be instructed to relax hands and not hold on while doing the grasp and see if the response persists. The same technique will be repeated for the patient's other hand.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-07-01
• Primary completion: 2018-05-23
• Completion: 2018-05-23
• First posted: 2016-10-05
• Last updated: 2019-10-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States