BACKGROUND: Dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being have not been previously examined in people with young onset dementia. Therefore, this study examined dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being in people with young onset dementia (n = 16), and age-matched healthy controls (n = 17).

METHODS: Both groups completed the Purdue Pegboard Test (dexterity and bimanual coordination), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (cognitive function), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (general anxiety), Generic health-related quality of life measures (overall health), General Self-Efficacy Scale (self-efficacy), Patient Health Questionnaire (depression), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality).

RESULTS: The main findings of the present investigation were that people with young onset dementia displayed poorer dexterity and bimanual coordination, generic health-related quality of life analogue, and generic self-efficacy compared with age-matched healthy controls. However, people with young onset dementia and age-matched healthy controls were comparable for anxiety, depression, generic health-related quality of life index, and sleep quality index.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights differences in dexterity and bimanual coordination, quality of life, and self-efficacy between people with young onset dementia and controls. People with young onset dementia exhibited poorer dexterity, generic health-related quality of life analogue, and self-efficacy. The study highlights the potential impacts of young onset dementia on dexterity, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy. More longitudinal research is needed to assess the time course of this impact and explore support strategies.