How to do it
Start with your closed fist on a flat surface, then straighten your fingers, then lay your palm flat. Repeat this sequence three times with each hand.
What to look for
Performing the three-step sequence three times without error is the benchmark. Research suggests that it is rare for a person with a healthy brain to make a mistake during the test: only 2.4% of people in this group made a mistake. However, around a quarter of people with mild cognitive impairment will make mistakes, and half of people with dementia will.
“Doctors look for patients who make mistakes in the sequence, who repeat the same movement and who are unable to learn the sequence,” says Dr. McAtarsney-Kovacs. “This could suggest problems with the prefrontal cortex, which is necessary for planning movements, following sequences and switching between tasks.”
How to interpret your performance
“If you don’t feel comfortable doing these tests, you don’t need to panic,” warns Dr. McAtarsney-Kovacs. You may simply be tired, distracted, or have mobility issues in your hands, such as arthritis.
“These finger tests are never used in isolation,” she adds. “They are a precursor and a clinician would then use other screening tools to test memory, language, processing speed and other cognitive areas.
“If you have difficulty with the tests, ask yourself if you have noticed other worrying symptoms, such as getting lost in a familiar place, having trouble remembering names or family members, and if your friends have noticed any changes. If there are other problems, it’s a good idea to go to the doctor.
“Always look at the bigger picture. If your only problem is struggling with the manual task, don’t panic. Performing finger movements may seem mentally demanding, but cannot in itself diagnose cognitive decline. A healthy person may struggle with this movement task and a cognitively impaired person may do well.”
How to protect your cognition
Although these manual tests challenge your brain, there is little benefit to repeating them. “They engage brain networks involved in attention planning, coordination and processing speed – but there is no evidence that these tests alone can improve cognition,” notes Dr. McAtarsney-Kovacs.
“When you try a complex physical movement, it forces your brain to build neural pathways and increases communication between brain areas. However, as soon as the movements become familiar after practice, they become automatic and the cognitive benefit is no longer there.”
So the important thing is to continue to stimulate your brain in new ways throughout your life.
“There is plenty of evidence that engaging in stimulating activities actually improves your cognitive health,” she notes. This includes learning a language but also more manageable activities like learning a new dance, taking up knitting (or learning a new technique if you already knit), and learning to play an instrument (or challenging yourself with a tricky piece of music if you already play).
“Knitting and playing musical instruments can be very beneficial because they require fine finger movements and attention must be paid to them,” she says. “When you can, incorporate complex movements into your hobbies. »
If you’re concerned about your cognitive health, there are many other things you can do to stay alert longer. “Stay physically and mentally active, take care of your cardiovascular health, get enough sleep and lead a good social life. It is also important to regulate hearing and eyesight. A healthy diet, similar to that of the Mediterranean, and lifelong learning, whether it is education, new hobbies, languages, musical instruments or anything mentally stimulating.”
“There’s growing evidence that these things really matter. Nearly half of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing these factors.”
Gn Health
