Scientists have found that a simple test of basic writing skills can detect cognitive impairment in older people before more serious symptoms appear.
Experts say writing is a complex, mentally demanding process that requires the brain to simultaneously process information, organize thoughts, and send precise signals to the fingers.
Because writing involves many complex mental functions, researchers believe that subtle changes in writing style may serve as early warning signs of cognitive decline.
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Portuguese researchers wanted to find out whether analyzing the writing process—for example, how long a person pauses or how they organize their strokes—could detect cognitive changes earlier than traditional paper-and-pencil tests, which typically assess only the final answer.
According to a press release, the study involved 58 elderly people aged 62 to 92 years living in nursing homes.
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The researchers hoped to detect cognitive changes earlier than is possible with traditional paper-based tests, which typically focus only on the end result. (iStock)
Thirty-eight of the participants had already been diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Each volunteer was asked to complete various writing exercises using an ink pen on a special digital tablet that tracked their precise hand movements.
The tests included basic pen control, copying sentences from a flashcard, and writing sentences spoken aloud by other people, the researchers said.
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Simple tasks such as drawing lines or copying text revealed no significant differences between the two groups. Because these activities rely primarily on basic motor skills, the team assumed they were not mentally challenging enough to detect subtle cognitive issues.
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When writing from dictation, older adults with cognitive impairments showed significantly slower, fragmented, and less coordinated writing movements.
«"Dictation tasks are more complex because they require the brain to perform several actions simultaneously: listening, processing speech, converting sounds into written form, and coordinating movements," Dr. Ana Rita Matias, lead author of the study from the University of Évora, said in a press release.
When writing from dictation, older adults with cognitive impairments showed significantly slower, fragmented, and less coordinated writing movements.
As the sentences became more complex, the brain found it increasingly difficult to cope with the workload. The study found that adults with cognitive impairments took longer to start writing, paused more often, and had difficulty organizing their finger movements.
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Currently, diagnosing cognitive impairment often involves expensive brain scans or lengthy psychological testing.
«"The long-term goal is to develop a tool that is easy to use, time-efficient, and affordable, allowing it to be integrated into everyday healthcare practices without the need for specialized or expensive equipment," said Matias.
The researchers did not take into account whether the participants were taking medications, which could potentially affect both handwriting and brain function.
The study had some limitations, including a relatively small sample size. Because it involved only 58 elderly residents of nursing homes, testing in larger, more diverse groups is needed to confirm the findings, the researchers noted.
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The study also did not take into account the participants' use of medications, which could potentially affect both handwriting and brain function.
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The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Original article: Research has shown that implementation daily tasks may help identify early signs of dementia before diagnosis.