Upper Limb Function in Mental Health Disorders

Upper Limb Functional Capacity in Individuals Diagnosed With Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Individuals with mental disorders (MD) often experience motor issues, yet upper limb functionality remains understudied.

Objective: To compare upper limb function in individuals with and without MD, focusing on motor capacity, dexterity, and performance.

Design: Cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study. Methods: Assessed strength, motor skills, sensitivity, and daily function. Used T-test, Mann-Whitney U, Spearman correlation, and Chi-square.

Background: Research suggests individuals with mental disorders (MD) often face motor difficulties, such as issues with gait and posture. However, there is limited research on upper limb functionality in the mental health context.

Objective: To compare upper limb functionality between individuals with and without MD, focusing on differences in motor capacity, manual dexterity, and functional performance.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study.

Methods: Strength, fine and gross motor skills, sensitivity, tactile discrimination, and were assessed, along with functional limitations in daily activities. Statistical methods used included independent samples T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and Chi-square test.

Inclusion Criteria:

Mental Disorder Group

• Participants with a mental disorder (MD) had to meet the following criteria:
• A formal diagnosis of a mental disorder according to the DSM-V.
• Aged between 18 and 65 years.
• Treatment stability, defined as being under stable pharmacological and psychiatric treatment for at least three months.
• Clinical stability, meaning no acute psychiatric episodes in the last three months that could interfere with participation in the study.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively, confirmed by scoring at least 23 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Control Group (Healthy Participants)

• Healthy individuals were required to meet the following inclusion criteria:
• Aged between 18 and 65 years.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively, also defined by a minimum MMSE score of 23.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, or similar disorders.
• History of upper limb rehabilitation within the past six months.
• Any acute or chronic condition affecting the upper limb that could interfere with the results, including but not limited to arthritis, osteoarthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome.