New research carried out by the University of Évora has discovered an association between writing more slowly and with smaller, fragmented strokes and cognitive decline.
Researchers in Portugal have identified handwriting analysis as a new promising tool for detecting cognitive decline.
led by scientists from the University of Évora and published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, discovered that elderly people with cognitive impairment had notable differences in rhythmin the coordination and structure of their handwriting compared to cognitively healthy individuals.
Researchers say the findings could pave the way for low-cost cognitive screening methods which can be used in nursing homes or routine healthcare settings, without the need for expensive brain scans or specialized medical appointments.
“Writing is not just a motor activity, It’s a window to the brain”, stated Ana Rita Matias, kinesiologist at the University of Évora and one of the main researchers of the study, cited by .
The investigation involved 58 elderly people living in nursing homesaged between 62 and 99 years old. Of these participants, 38 had already been diagnosed with some type of cognitive impairment, while 20 showed no signs of decline.
Using tablets and electronic pens, participants performed a series of handwriting tasksincluding drawing lines and dots, copying sentences and writing dictated passages. According to the researchers, the dictation exercise proved particularly effective in revealing cognitive differences, as it combines multiple brain functions simultaneously, including hearing, memory, language processing and motor coordination.
Participants with cognitive impairment generally wrote more slowlyused smaller, more fragmented strokes and required more movements to complete the same tasks.
Researchers believe these changes reflect a decline in the brain’s ability to plan and execute complex actions efficiently. As cognitive systems such as working memory and executive control deteriorate, handwriting becomes less fluid and coordinated.
Experts warn, however, that the investigation is still preliminary. The study involved a relatively small group of participants and did not keep up with changes in handwriting over longer periods. The researchers also acknowledged that factors such as medication use, which can influence motor skills, were not considered.
Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that handwriting tests may eventually become a practical screening tool, especially in settings such as nursing homes, where quick and accessible cognitive assessments are valuable.
