Research Information System
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE, vol.31, no.5, pp.313-317, 2015 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: Hand dexterity is important for daily living activities and can be related to cognitive functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and hand dexterity in patients with COPD. Methods: 35 COPD patients and 36 healthy individuals were assessed. The Minnesota Hand Dexterity Test and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used for assessment of cognitive function and hand dexterity. Results: Hand dexterity test scores and cognitive function of COPD patients were significantly lower than the healthy group (p < 0.01). The MMSE scores were negatively correlated with hand dexterity scores in the COPD group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There was a relationship between cognitive function and hand dexterity in the patients with COPD; however, hand dexterity did not alter according to hypoxemia severity. Hand dexterity which is important in daily living activities should be evaluated in greater detail with further studies in COPD patients.