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A simple writing test can detect cognitive impairment in adults before more serious symptoms appear, scientists have found.
Writing is a complex, brain-intensive exercise that requires the brain to process information, organize thoughts and send precise signals to the fingers all at once, according to experts.
Because writing taps into many complex cognitive functions, researchers believe that small changes in the way people write can provide early warning signs of cognitive impairment.
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The Portuguese researchers wanted to see if analyzing the writing process – such as how long a person pauses or how they arrange their strokes – could capture cognitive changes before traditional paper-and-pencil tests, which often measure only the final answer.
The study looked at 58 older adults between the ages of 62 and 92 living in nursing homes, according to a press release.
The researchers hoped to capture cognitive changes before traditional paper-and-pencil tests, which often focus only on final output. (Stock)
Among the participants, 38 had been diagnosed with mental retardation. Each volunteer was asked to complete various writing tests 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 card, and writing sentences that others spoke out loud, the researchers said.
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Simple tasks, such as drawing lines or copying text, did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. Because these tasks relied heavily on basic motor skills, the team judged that they were not too mentally challenging to reveal underlying cognitive problems.
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When writing aloud, older adults with intellectual disabilities had writing patterns that were significantly slower, more disjointed and less connected.
“Pronunciation tasks are very sensitive because they require the brain to do many things at the same time: listen, process language, convert sounds into written form and direct movements,” Dr. Ana Rita Matias, senior author of the study from the University of Évora, said in a press release.
When writing aloud, older adults with intellectual disabilities showed slower, more disjointed and less coherent writing patterns. (Stock)
As the sentence became more complex, the mind struggled to keep up. Older people with dementia take longer to start writing, pause more often and struggle with page planning, the study found.
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Currently, diagnosing cognitive decline often involves expensive brain scans or lengthy cognitive tests.
“The long-term goal is to develop a tool that is easy to handle, timely and affordable, allowing integration into everyday health care situations without requiring special or expensive equipment,” said Matias.
The researchers did not account for participants’ medication use, which can affect both handwriting and brain function. (Stock)
The study had some limitations, including that it was relatively small. Since it was limited to 58 older adults living in nursing homes, larger and more diverse groups need to be tested to confirm the findings, the researchers noted.
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The study also did not report on the participants’ use of medication, which may affect both handwriting and brain function.
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The study was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
