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Background: The relationship between manual dexterity and cognitive function among older adults is well known; however, few studies have focused on manual dexterity training that confirms cognitive load of training in older adults through functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and verifies the effect of training. This study examined the effects of home-based manual dexterity training on cognitive function in older adults using a digital trail-making peg test device combining two conventional assessment tools namely, the peg and trail-making tests.
Methods: For 12 weeks, 57 healthy older adults aged 65-88 years participated in a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, wherein home-based manual dexterity training was performed for approximately 20 min daily. To quantify the cognitive load in different manual dexterity conditions, we assessed the cortical activation patterns of the prefrontal cortex via a wearable four-channel fNIRS device. Participants in the control group were asked to continue their usual daily routines during the intervention period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word and Cognitive Impairment Tests. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. All outcomes were estimated before and after the intervention.
Results: We observed significant differences in prefrontal cortical activation between the different manual dexterity conditions. Only the intervention group showed a significant improvement in Stroop interference (169.0-108.9 ms, p = 0.032) and an executive function and assembly task of the Purdue Pegboard Test (22.5-26.4 counts, p < 0.001). Additionally, except the clock drawing task, cognitive function had a larger effect size (Cohen's d) in the intervention group (d = 0.26-0.45) than in the control group (d = 0.11-0.28).
Conclusions: Home-based manual dexterity training can improve performance in a complex manual dexterity task and executive functioning in older adults.
Trial Registration: UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial, UMIN000047203. Registered 17 March 2022 - Retrospectively registered, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000053844&type=summary&language=E.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s11556-023-00319-2 | DOI Listing |
J Autism Dev Disord
September 2025
Departamento de Didácticas Especiáis, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
Children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often reported to have motor skill deficits, though findings remain inconsistent across studies. To determine whether motor competence differs significantly between youth with ADHD and their typically developing (TD) peers through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Following PRISMA guidelines, four databases were searched up to May 2025.
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Science
September 2025
Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
The unguis (hoof, claw, or nail) of the first digit (D1, also known as the thumb or pollex) of the tetrapod hand exhibits numerous functional adaptations, but its macroevolutionary association with ecological diversity is unknown. Across Rodentia, we find that most extant genera and ancestral lineages bear D1 nails. Exceptions follow structure-function associations that arose independently multiple times, specifically, the gain of D1 claws with subterranean habits and the loss of D1 ungues with oral-only feeding behavior.
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Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFIEEE Trans Med Robot Bionics
May 2025
Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) systems take advantage of dexterous tools, enhanced vision, and motion filtering to improve patient outcomes. Whereas most RAS systems are directly controlled by surgeons, the development and application of autonomous RAS are growing owing to their repeatability and precision. Although full autonomy is a long-term goal, human intervention in RAS is still essential.
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