Experts from Discern have suggested that a simple physical test, which can be done at home, might indicate the earliest signs of dementia.
The "2 finger test" is an easy exercise that involves mimicking hand gestures and takes just seconds to complete, potentially identifying early symptoms of dementia without any trouble or stress.
To perform the test, you simply interlock two fingers in a certain pattern or make a specific gesture with your fingers, then ask the person to replicate what you've just demonstrated.
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This seemingly peculiar technique is actually a "multifaceted challenge" that tests multiple brain functions and cognitive areas affected by dementia, including memory, cognitive sharpness, visual instruction processing, and motor coordination.
Furthermore, a 2018 study by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center found that a similar finger test could help distinguish between types of dementia, particularly differentiating Alzheimer's dementia from Parkinson's Dementia. In this assessment, the individual extends their arms and uses their index fingers to touch specific points on a ruler for 15 seconds.
They must then close their eyes and try to maintain their fingers at the same measurement for another 15 seconds. The research revealed that those whose fingers drifted significantly downwards, more than 5cm from the original position, were often diagnosed with Parkinson's Dementia Disease.
On the other hand, those with Alzheimer's dementia typically only experienced a mild downward drift, with none of them moving more than 5cm with their eyes closed. The small-scale study also showed that the degree of a person's drift often indicated the severity of their dementia progression, reports the Mirror.
Early detection of dementia can give patients a significant advantage, allowing healthcare professionals and family members the best chance for intervention. This can greatly affect the rate of deterioration and management of the individual's condition.
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