Relation between ability to track force during dual tasking and function in individuals with Parkinson´s disease

Force tracking using fine motor control with simultaneous cognitive dual tasking may provide a useful measure of disease progression in Parkinson´s disease (PD). Due to the challenging nature of the task, measures from this task may be useful in documenting changes in the progression of the disease especially since such changes are subtle in nature early on in the disease process. We have described a novel force tracking task and presented its relation to motor function based on the unified Parkinson´s disease rating scale as well as specific to hand function based on the grooved Pegboard test, in participants with PD. This work is the first step in a line of research with the overall goal of developing a clinical progression biomarker with the help of a haptic device for PD.