Researchers Say Handwriting Offers Clues to Early Parkinson's Diagnosis

Posted on February 27, 2014

Researchers from Haifa University say handwriting can offer an early diagnosis of Parkinson's. Prof. Sara Rosenblum, of the University of Haifa's Department of Occupational Therapy, who initiated the study, says in a release, "Identifying the changes in handwriting could lead to an early diagnosis of the illness and neurological intervention at a critical moment."

Prof. Rosenblum also says patients tend to feel a change in cognitive abilities before they notice any change in their motor abilities, which is why a handwriting test may help diagnose it earlier. The test use a special pen with pressure-sensitive sensors. Computer analysis of the test examines writing form, time required and the pressure the patient exerts on the surface when writing. The researchers say people with Parkinson's write with smaller letters, exert less pressure on the writing surface and take more time to complete the assignment. They also hold the pen in the air longer between writing letters.

Prof. Rosenblum says, "This finding is particularly important because while the patient holds the pen in the air, his mind is planning his next action in the writing process, and the need for more time reflects the subject's reduced cognitive ability. Changes in handwriting can occur years before a clinical diagnosis and therefore can be an early signal of the approaching disease."

Reuters reports that the scientists say the can detect the disease simply by having someone write their own name. There is no cure for Parkinson's but early diagnosis may help patients control symptoms before they worsen. Take a look:

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