Test for Early Detection of Functional Decline in Parkinson’s Disease
Advanced neurology and rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn, NYC can help in timely diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other such disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. Despite the availability of advanced diagnostic modalities, researchers have found that the hand-grip test serves as a great tool for monitoring the progress of the central nervous system (CNS) condition called Parkinson’s disease. Two Health and Exercise Sciences professors at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus arrived at this conclusion after studying various methods to monitor the progressive advancement of PD. Research Details The study focused on existing tools for assessing the progression of PD in patients. It involved comparing electromyography assessment results of the arm and leg muscles and also physical performance tests measuring hand grip strength, gait speed, and balance. The subjects of the study comprised 23 individuals with PD and 14 individuals not having the disease, all of whom were 50 years of age or older and living independently. Each of the participants was given a portable monitoring device which they had to wear. It measured muscle activity by recording the electrical activity in their legs and arms for around 8 hours. The participants took the physical function tests every morning and afternoon. Hand Grip Test Proves Conclusive The researchers felt the handgrip test was the reliable test measure, though it was the easier one. It helped the researchers to conclusively assess the decline in muscle strength. The physical tests were also found to be as conclusive as the long muscle activity recordings. These tests were also easier for doctors and participants alike. The study suggests that the hand-grip dynamometer can be a very reliable, user-friendly and easily accessible test tool. What’s more, this device is easily available for family doctors, physiotherapists, community therapists and other health professionals. It’s now really easy to record the onset or progression of Parkinson’s disease by observing the condition of individual’s muscle strength and range of function. Early Detection of Functional Muscular Decline Vital For effective treatment of PD, it is important that functional decline of such patients is tracked early. Symptoms such as slowness of movement, uncontrollable shaking, difficulty in coordination and walking, etc., are some of the classic symptoms associated with progression of the disease. Early monitoring can help manage the symptoms well and reduce the risk falls due to the disease. The large number of Parkinson’s disease cases in Canada prompted this research. According to Statistics Canada, there are over 67,000 PD patients living in Canada, with men over 45 years of age being the most diagnoses. www.hqbk.com