Discern experts say that a test that is easy to do at home can detect early signs of dementiawrites “The Two Finger Test” is a simple exercise that involves copying hand gestures and takes just a few seconds, and can reveal the first signs of dementia without any difficulty or stress.
If you want to take a test, simply intertwine two fingers in a certain pattern or make a gesture with your fingers and then ask the person to repeat what you have shown them. This seemingly strange method is actually a “multifaceted challenge” involving multiple brain functions and cognitive areas affected by dementia.
It assesses memory, cognitive acuity, processing of visual instructions and motor coordination. In addition, research from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2018 showed that a similar test could help distinguish between types of dementia – specifically highlight the difference between Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s dementia.
In this test, the person spreads their hands and points with the index fingers to certain points on the ruler for 15 seconds. Then he must close his eyes and try to keep his fingers in the designated place for another 15 seconds. The study found that people whose fingers moved significantly downwards, at least 5 cm from where they were held, were diagnosed with Parkinson’s dementia.
On the other hand, people with Alzheimer’s dementia usually showed only a slight downward shift, while none of them moved more than 5 cm with their eyes closed. A small study also revealed that a person’s degree of drift often indicates the severity of dementia progression.
Early detection of dementia can provide patients with an incredible advantageas it allows healthcare professionals and family members the greatest opportunity to intervene, which can significantly affect the rate of deterioration and the management of an individual’s condition.
