Postural stability of Parkinson's disease patients is improved by decreasing rigidity

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2004.00942.x
• Publication Date: 2005-01-29T08:49:28Z
• Authors: A. Bartolić; Z. Pirtošek; J. Rozman; S. Ribarič
• Keywords: Apomorphine; Rigidity (electromagnetism); Postural instability

Postural instability has a big impact on the quality of life patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) as it often leads to an insecure stance and fall. We investigated if postural stability in these improves by decreasing rigidity dopaminergic agonist. In our study, we tested eight PD no concomitant diseases. Their age was 61 ± 2 years (mean SE) their Hoehn‐Yahr score 3 0.1. The were evaluated according Unified Disease Rating Scale for motor function (mUPDRS) stabilometric measurements forward–backward side‐to‐side body oscillations during free eyes open. Both evaluations performed ‘off’ state apomorphine‐induced ‘on’ state. As expected, mUPDRS significantly decreased posture being improved six patients, gait seven patients. addition, apomorphine caused significant reduction relative amplitude lower frequencies increase higher oscillations. results stabilometry are agreement effect rigidity, indicating that is rigidity.