Limb Apraxia in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Limb apraxia is a motor disorder often occurring after left hemispheric strokes. The disorder is little studied in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS). Previous MS studies indicate that performance in classic pantomime and imitation tests can be impaired. This study examined limb apraxia in 26 MS patients as well as in 24 healthy subjects with the Diagnostic Instrument for Limb Apraxia - Short Version (DILA-S), which in addition to classic imitation and pantomime tests also examines the actual tool use. In separate subtests, 27 % of MS patients were diagnosed with apractic symptoms. However, symptom development was weak and therefore the results did not differ significantly when compared to other groups. Overall, the results of the study suggest that while limb apraxia can occur in MS patients, it most likely only rarely becomes a clinically relevant symptom.