Dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being in people with young onset dementia: a case-control study

Background
Dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being have not been previously examined in people with young onset dementia. Therefore, this study examined dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being in people with young onset dementia (n = 16), and age-matched healthy controls (n = 17).

Methods
Both groups completed the Purdue Pegboard Test (dexterity and bimanual coordination), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (cognitive function), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (general anxiety), Generic health-related quality of life measures (overall health), General Self-Efficacy Scale (self-efficacy), Patient Health Questionnaire (depression), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality).

Results
The main findings of the present investigation were that people with young onset dementia displayed poorer dexterity and bimanual coordination, generic health-related quality of life analogue, and generic self-efficacy compared with age-matched healthy controls. However, people with young onset dementia and age-matched healthy controls were comparable for anxiety, depression, generic health-related quality of life index, and sleep quality index.

Conclusions
This study highlights differences in dexterity and bimanual coordination, quality of life, and self-efficacy between people with young onset dementia and controls. People with young onset dementia exhibited poorer dexterity, generic health-related quality of life analogue, and self-efficacy. The study highlights the potential impacts of young onset dementia on dexterity, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy. More longitudinal research is needed to assess the time course of this impact and explore support strategies.