Improvement in Fine Manual Dexterity in Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 after Nusinersen Injection

Although nusinersen has been demonstrated to improve motor function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), no studies have investigated its effect on fine manual dexterity. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of nusinersen to improve fine manual dexterity in patients with SMA type 2. A total of five patients with SMA type 2 were included. The Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (expanded version) (HFMSE) and Purdue Pegboard (PP) tests were used to evaluate gross motor function and fine manual dexterity, respectively, until 18 months after nusinersen administration. HFMSE scores improved by 3-10 points (+13-53%) in all patients following nusinersen administration. PP scores also improved in all patients, from 4 to 9 points (+80-225%) in the preferred hand and from 3 to 7 points (+60-500%) in the non-preferred hand. These results suggest that nusinersen treatment improved both gross motor function and fine manual dexterity in children with SMA type 2. Addition of the PP test may aid in evaluating the fine manual dexterity essential for activities of daily living in these patients

Motor function · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · SMA · Spinal muscular atrophy · Computer Science · Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery · Medicine · Neurogenetic and Muscular Disorders Research · Psychology · RNA modifications and cancer

• Assessment of Fine Motor Abilities Among Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treated with Nusinersen Using a New Touchscreen Application

  Open Access•Inbal Klemm, Alexandra Danial‐Saad et al.•Children•2025

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