Affiliation:
1. Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
2. University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3. NSW Health, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
4. Parkinson’s NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Abstract
Background
Upper limb motor impairments, such as slowness of movement and difficulties executing sequential tasks, are common in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Objective
To evaluate the validity of the upper limb Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) as a standard clinical assessment battery in people with PD, by determining whether the tests, which encompass muscle strength, dexterity, arm stability, position sense, skin sensation and bimanual coordination can (a) distinguish people with PD from healthy controls, (b) detect differences in upper limb test domains between “off” and “on” anti-Parkinson medication states and (c) correlate with a validated measure of upper limb function.
Methods
Thirty-four participants with PD and 68 healthy controls completed the upper limb PPA tests within a single session.
Results
People with PD exhibited impaired performance across most test domains. Based on validity, reliability and feasibility, six tests (handgrip strength, finger-press reaction time, 9-hole peg test, bimanual pole test, arm stability, and shirt buttoning) were identified as key tests for the assessment of upper limb function in people with PD.
Conclusions
The upper limb PPA provides a valid, quick and simple means of quantifying specific upper limb impairments in people with PD. These findings indicate clinical assessments should prioritise tests of muscle strength, unilateral movement and dexterity, bimanual coordination, arm stability and functional tasks in people with PD as these domains are the most commonly and significantly impaired.
Funder
Motor Impairment Program grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience
Cited by
13 articles.
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