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Amplitude and velocity dependence of patellar pendulum triggered by T reflex in Parkinson’s rigidity

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Abstract

Objectives

The relation between increase of tonus and joint movement velocity is controversial in Parkinson’s rigidity. It is accepted that the increase of tonus in rigidity is constant during joint movement, and does not change within all limits of movement. However, there is thoughtful evidence that the change in tonus in rigidity has a correlation with joint movement velocity and amplitude of movement. The pendulum movement that is formed by triggering of the patellar T reflex allows the examination of phasic stretching reflexes and physiological changes of passive stretching. Therefore, the velocity and amplitude properties of tonus in Parkinson’s rigidity can be scanned together.

Materials and methods

Patellar T reflex-triggered patellar pendulum was recorded in 40 Parkinson’s patients. The velocity and amplitude changes in the pendulum were observed according to the rigidity scale. Muscle action potentials were recorded from the rectus femoris muscle and biceps femoris muscles simultaneously via superficial recording electrodes. Knee joint angle changes were recorded with a goniometer. The kinesiological and electromyographic features were compared with those of the control subjects.

Results

The number of pendulums decreased significantly, the angle of joint movement decreased, the peak time decreased and the angular velocity slowed down significantly in the Parkinson’s group. While the latency of the patellar T reflex did not change significantly, its amplitude decreased, and the onset time of joint movement measured by accelerometer was prolonged.

Conclusions

Parkinson’s rigidity has a velocity-dependent component, and this correlates negatively with the rigidity scale.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Ms. Barbara for making the English revisions of the article in her native language. We thank the patients for their cooperation.

Funding

The study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Grant (grant number: 214 S 175).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey

    Serkan Uslu & Tunca Nüzket

  2. Department of Neurology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Dumlupınar Blv. Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey

    Mehmet Gürbüz, Ferah Kızılay, Sibel Özkaynak & Hilmi Uysal

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  1. Serkan Uslu
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  2. Mehmet Gürbüz
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  6. Hilmi Uysal
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Contributions

(1) Research project: A. conception, B. organization and C. execution

(2) Statistical analysis: A. design, B. execution and C. review and critique

(3) Manuscript: A. writing of the first draft, B. review and critique and C. writing major reviews

S.U: 1C, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B

MG: 1B, 1C, 3C

F.K: 1B, 3B

S.Ö: 1B, 2C, 3B

T.N.:1B, 1C, 2B, 3B

H.U: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2C, 3A, 3C

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Correspondence to Hilmi Uysal.

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Uslu, S., Gürbüz, M., Kızılay, F. et al. Amplitude and velocity dependence of patellar pendulum triggered by T reflex in Parkinson’s rigidity. Neurol Sci 42, 3257–3266 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04936-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04936-y

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