Influence of sex on functional capacity, and muscle strength and fine motor skills of upper limbs in patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by damage to the myelin sheath that covers neurons, and which shows differences between men and women in terms of susceptibility and disease progression related in turn to functional ability and quality of life.

Objectives

To know the differences based on gender, assessing the functional capacity, muscle strength and fine motor skills of the upper extremities of patients with MS.

Material and methods

A quantitativede, scriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 51 MS patients, that were assessed for functional capacity (DASH scale); static and dynamic balance (Berg scale), perceived balance (ABC); strenght (Jamar and dynamometer); and fine motor skills (NHPT).

Results

The sample consisted of 15 men and 36 women, with a mean age of 47 ± 12 años. No differences were observed in functional capacity DASH (p = 0.616). In addition, men showed greater pincer strength (p < 0.001) and greater triceps strength (p < 0.05) in both arms. Regarding fine motor skills, it was better in women in both the dominant and non-dominant hands (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Despite not observing functional differences by sex, there are differences in the parameters of pincer and triceps strength, which is higher in men; and in manual dexterity of both hands, which is better in women.