Article

Quantitative movement analysis can detect impairments in mobility and
balance in persons with pre-symptomatic HD (pre-HD); however, it is not known
whether clinical tests can also detect such impairments. Given the ease of
administering clinical tests, and the importance of assessing mobility and
balance, we examined whether clinical tests can detect motor impairments in
individuals with pre-symptomatic HD. METHODS: Two clinical tests (Functional
Reach Test [FRT] and Timed Up and Go [TUG]) and the Unified Huntington's Disease
Rating Scale (UHDRS) were administered, along with quantitative gait analysis, to
15 individuals with pre-symptomatic HD and 15 controls. RESULTS: There was no
difference in FRT and TUG scores across groups. Neither test was correlated with
years to predicted disease onset or with quantitative gait analysis measures.
CONCLUSION: Clinical assessments such as FRT and TUG are not sensitive in
detecting motor impairments in individuals with pre-symptomatic HD. The subtle
nature of impairments provides a rationale for the use of quantitative gait
analysis in pre-symptomatic HD.

Langue : ANGLAIS