scholarly journals The Influence of Playing a Non-Reward Game on Motor Ability and Executive Function in Parkinson’s Disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisson Menezes Araújo Lima ◽  
Fabiana de Campos Cordeiro Hirata ◽  
Gabriela Sales de Bruin ◽  
Rosa Maria Salani Mota ◽  
Veralice Meireles Sales de Bruin

The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effect of playing games on executive function and motor ability in Parkinson's disease (PD). Consecutive cases with PD were studied with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Stroop test, finger tapping and 14-meter walk test. After randomization, patients performed a game of dominoes and were tested before and after experiment being further categorized as control, winners or non-winners. Forty patients, 27 male (67.5%), aged 48 to 84 years (63.2 ± 8.5), Hoehn & Yahr I to III were included. Twenty-eight (70%) presented depressive symptoms (BDI > 10). Groups (Control N = 13; Winners = 14 and Non-winners = 13) were not different regarding age, disease duration, age at onset, BMI, MMSE scores, depressive symptoms, levodopa dose, and previous practice of games. Winners presented significantly better results on executive function (Stroop test,p= 0.002) and on motor activity (Finger tapping,p= 0.01). Non-winners showed a trend of better performance in the 14-meter-walk test. This study shows that the practice of a non-reward game acutely improved memory and motor skills in PD. Our results suggest a role for the reward system in the modulation of the dopaminergic function of the basal ganglia in these patients.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob D. Jones ◽  
Charles Jacobson ◽  
Martina Murphy ◽  
Catherine Price ◽  
Michael S. Okun ◽  
...  

Objective. Health comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular risk factors, are well known to pose risks for cognitive decline in older adults. To date, little attention has focused on the impact of these comorbidities on Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examined the prevalence and contribution of comorbidities on cognitive status in PD patients, above and beyond the effects of disease severity.Methods. A cross sectional design was used, including neuropsychological data on 341 PD patients without severe cognitive decline. Comorbidity data were collected via medical chart review. Data were analyzed using a series of multiple hierarchical regressions, controlling for PD-related disease variables.Results. Overall sample characteristics are 69% male, disease duration 9.7 years, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale 26.4, and age 64.7 years. Hypercholesterolemia (41.6%), hypertension (38.1%), and hypotension (30.2%) were the most reported comorbidities. The presence of hypertension significantly contributed to domains of executive function and verbal memory. The cooccurrence of orthostatic hypotension moderated the relationship between hypertension and executive function.Conclusions. This study on a large cohort of PD patients provides evidence for a detrimental influence of health comorbidities, particularly hypertension, on cognitive domains that have traditionally been conceptualized as being frontally and/or temporally mediated.


2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (3a) ◽  
pp. 585-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Haydée Estrada Gamarra ◽  
Cibele Silva Molski ◽  
Arlete Hilbig ◽  
Cristina Kern Valentini ◽  
Vera Lúcia Widniczck Striebel ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics of body image and self-concept in individuals over fifty years of age with Parkinson's disease (PD). The secondary objectives are to analyze whether body image and self-concept are influenced by the severity of PD and to verify if there is correlation between depression, self-concept and body image in cases of PD. METHOD: Participating in the study were 48 individuals, being 26 with PD and 22 Controls. The instruments used were: The Mini Exam of Mental State, The My Body Image Test, The Factorial Self-concept Test, The Beck Depression Inventory, the motor section of The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and The Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale. RESULTS: In PD the perception of body image and self-concept demonstrated significantly reduced values p<0.001 and p=0.012 respectively, and the presence of depression symptomatology was significantly more (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Individuals with PD present alteration of body image and self-concept and also present lower personal confidence and lower social receptivity, correlated with depressive symptoms.


2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 948-954
Author(s):  
Dannyel Barbirato ◽  
Alessandro Carvalho ◽  
Narahyana Bom de Araujo ◽  
Jose Vicente Martins ◽  
Andrea Deslandes

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the quantitative results of functional and cognitive performance of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and disease severity; and to study the relationship between patients' functional and cognitive capacity and motor impairment (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - UPDRS III). Method Twenty-nine subjects clinically diagnosed with PD were classified into three groups according to disease severity using the modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y). They were submitted to functional (Senior Fitness Test) and neuropsychological tests. Stepwise regression analysis showed a significant association between H&Y and upper limb strength (r 2 =0.30; p=0.005) and executive function (r 2 =0.37; p=0.004). In relation to UPDRS III, there was a significant association between lower limb strength (r 2 =0.27; p=0.010) and global cognitive status (r 2 =0.24; p=0.024). Conclusion The implementation of simple tests of functional capacity associated with neuropsychological testing can help to assess disease severity and motor impairment, and can be used to monitor the response to treatment in PD.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Alex Page ◽  
Norman Yung ◽  
Peggy Auinger ◽  
Charles Venuto ◽  
Alistair Glidden ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Smartphones can generate objective measures of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and supplement traditional in-person rating scales. However, smartphone use in clinical trials has been limited. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to determine the feasibility of introducing a smartphone research application into a PD clinical trial and to evaluate the resulting measures. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A smartphone application was introduced part-way into a phase 3 randomized clinical trial of inosine. The application included finger tapping, gait, and cognition tests, and participants were asked to complete an assessment battery at home and in clinic alongside the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 236 eligible participants in the parent study, 88 (37%) consented to participate, and 59 (27 randomized to inosine and 32 to placebo) completed a baseline smartphone assessment. These 59 participants collectively completed 1,292 batteries of assessments. The proportion of participants who completed at least one smartphone assessment was 61% at 3, 54% at 6, and 35% at 12 months. Finger tapping speed correlated weakly with the part III motor portion (<i>r</i> = −0.16, left hand; <i>r</i> = −0.04, right hand) and total (<i>r</i> = −0.14) MDS-UPDRS. Gait speed correlated better with the same measures (<i>r</i> = −0.25, part III motor; <i>r</i> = −0.34, total). Over 6 months, finger tapping speed, gait speed, and memory scores did not differ between those randomized to active drug or placebo. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Introducing a smartphone application midway into a phase 3 clinical trial was challenging. Measures of bradykinesia and gait speed correlated modestly with traditional outcomes and were consistent with the study’s overall findings, which found no benefit of the active drug.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jay L. Alberts ◽  
Mandy Miller Koop ◽  
Marisa P. McGinley ◽  
Amanda L. Penko ◽  
Hubert H. Fernandez ◽  
...  

Introduction. To overcome travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer-based technology was rapidly deployed to the smartphones of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) participating in a 12-month exercise trial. The aim of the project was to determine the feasibility of utilizing a combined synchronous and asynchronous self-administered smartphone application to characterize PD symptoms. Methods. A synchronous video virtual visit was completed for the administration of virtual Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III (vMDS-UPDRS III). Participants asynchronously completed a mobile application consisting of a measure of upper extremity bradykinesia (Finger Tapping Test) and information processing. Results. Twenty-three individuals completed the assessments. The mean vMDS-UPDRS III was 23.65 ± 8.56 points. On average, the number of taps was significantly greater for the less affected limb, 97.96 ± 17.77 taps, compared to the more affected, 89.33 ± 18.66 taps (p = 0.025) with a significantly greater number of freezing episodes for the more affected limb ( p < 0.05 ). Correlation analyses indicated the number of errors and the number of freezing episodes were significantly related to clinical ratings of vMDS-UPDRS III bradykinesia (Rho = 0.44, p < 0.01 ; R = 0.43, p < 0.01 , resp.) and finger tapping performance (Rho = 0.31, p = 0.03 ; Rho = 0.32, p = 0.03 , resp.). Discussion. The objective characterization of bradykinesia, akinesia, and nonmotor function and their relationship with clinical disease metrics indicate smartphone technology provides a remote method of characterizing important aspects of PD performance. While theoretical and position papers have been published on the potential of telemedicine to aid in the management of PD, this report translates the theory into a viable reality.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254415
Author(s):  
Yasuki Koyanagi ◽  
Isato Fukushi ◽  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Kouji Suzuki ◽  
Nobuhito Oda ◽  
...  

Objective To evaluate the effects of body weight-supported overground gait training (BWSOGT) on motor abilities, such as gait and balance, in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Design Retrospective case-controlled observational study with a 4-week follow-up. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation. Participants We selected 37 of 68 patients with PD. Inclusion criteria were (1) Hoehn & Yahr stage II–IV, (2) no medication adjustment during the study period, (3) at least 1 week since last medication adjustment, and (4) ability to walk more than 10 meters on their own. Exclusion criteria were (1) cerebrovascular disease or other complications affecting movement, (2) difficulty in measurement, (3) early discharge, (4) medication change during the study, and (5) development of complications. Interventions Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in Group I underwent 20 minutes of BWSOGT with a mobile hoist in addition to the standard exercises; Group II performed 20 minutes of gait training in place of BWSOGT. In both groups, training was performed for a total of 15 times/4 weeks. Main outcome measure(s) Participants were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale total, part II, and part III; 10-m walk test; velocity; stride length; 6-minute walk test; timed up and go test; Berg Balance Scale; and freezing of gait before and after the intervention. Results There were significant decreases in the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale total, part II, and part III in both groups; however, 6-minute walk test, timed up and go test, and freezing of gait results only improved in Group I. Conclusions BWSOGT for patients with PD improves gait ability and dynamic balance more than standard gait training.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hila Avisar ◽  
Cristina Guardia-Laguarta ◽  
Estela Area-Gomez ◽  
Matthew Surface ◽  
Amanda K. Chan ◽  
...  

Background: The role of the lipidome as a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a relatively new field that currently only focuses on PD diagnosis. Objective: To identify a relevant lipidome signature for PD severity markers. Methods: Disease severity of 149 PD patients was assessed by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The lipid composition of whole blood samples was analyzed, consisting of 517 lipid species from 37 classes; these included all major classes of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerolipids, and sterols. To handle the high number of lipids, the selection of lipid species and classes was consolidated via analysis of interrelations between lipidomics and disease severity prediction using the random forest machine-learning algorithm aided by conventional statistical methods. Results: Specific lipid classes dihydrosphingomyelin (dhSM), plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamine (PEp), glucosylceramide (GlcCer), dihydro globotriaosylceramide (dhGB3), and to a lesser degree dihydro GM3 ganglioside (dhGM3), as well as species dhSM(20:0), PEp(38:6), PEp(42:7), GlcCer(16:0), GlcCer(24:1), dhGM3(22:0), dhGM3(16:0), and dhGB3(16:0) contribute to PD severity prediction of UPDRS III score. These, together with age, age at onset, and disease duration, also contribute to prediction of UPDRS total score. We demonstrate that certain lipid classes and species interrelate differently with the degree of severity of motor symptoms between men and women, and that predicting intermediate disease stages is more accurate than predicting less or more severe stages. Conclusion: Using machine-learning algorithms and methodologies, we identified lipid signatures that enable prediction of motor severity in PD. Future studies should focus on identifying the biological mechanisms linking GlcCer, dhGB3, dhSM, and PEp with PD severity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoko Ninomiya ◽  
Akihiko Morita ◽  
Hiroko Teramoto ◽  
Takayoshi Akimoto ◽  
Hiroshi Shiota ◽  
...  

Postural deformities and executive dysfunction (ED) are common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, the relationship between postural deformities and ED in patients with PD remains unclear. This study assessed the relationship between postural deformities and ED in patients with PD. Sixty-five patients with sporadic PD were assessed for the severity of postural deformities and executive function. The severity of postural deformities was scored using the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale item 28 score: no postural deformity (0), mild postural deformities (1), or severe postural deformities (2–4). Executive function was assessed using the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) and an age-controlled standardized BADS score <70 was defined as ED. Age-controlled standardized BADS scores were compared across the three groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Relationship between ED and the severity of postural deformities was assessed using the Mann-WhitneyUtest. Age-controlled standardized BADS score significantly differed among the three groupsP=0.005. ED was significantly related to the severity of postural deformitiesP=0.0005. The severity of postural deformities was associated with a lower age-controlled standardized BADS score and ED, and these findings suggest that postural deformities were associated with frontal dysfunction in patients with PD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Szymkowicz ◽  
Vonetta M. Dotson ◽  
Jacob D. Jones ◽  
Michael S. Okun ◽  
Dawn Bowers

AbstractObjectives: Both depression and apathy, alone and in combination, have been shown to negatively affect cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the influence of specific symptom dimensions of depression and apathy on cognition is not well understood. The current study investigated the relationship between symptom dimensions of depression and apathy, based on factors identified in Kirsch-Darrow et al. (2011), and memory and executive function in PD. Methods: A sample of 138 non-demented individuals with PD (mean age=64.51±7.43 years) underwent neuropsychological testing and completed the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition, and Apathy Scale. Separate hierarchical regression models examined the relationship between symptom dimensions of depression and apathy (“pure” depressive symptoms, “pure” apathy, loss of interest/pleasure [anhedonia], and somatic symptoms) and three cognitive domain composites: immediate verbal memory, delayed verbal memory, and executive function. Results: After adjusting for general cognitive status and the influence of the other symptom dimensions, “pure” depressive symptoms were negatively associated with the delayed verbal memory composite (p<.034) and somatic symptoms were positively associated with the executive function composite (p<.026). No symptom dimensions were significantly related to the immediate verbal memory composite. Conclusions: Findings suggest that specific mood symptoms are associated with delayed verbal memory and executive function performance in non-demented patients with PD. Further research is needed to better understand possible mechanisms through which specific symptom dimensions of depression and apathy are associated with cognition in PD. (JINS, 2018, 24, 269–282)


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 878-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori J.P. Altmann ◽  
Elizabeth Stegemöller ◽  
Audrey A. Hazamy ◽  
Jonathan P. Wilson ◽  
Dawn Bowers ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) results in a range of non-motor deficits that can affect mood, cognition, and language, and many of these issues are unresponsive to pharmacological intervention. Aerobic exercise can improve mood and cognition in healthy older adults, although only a few studies have examined exercise effects on these domains in PD. The current study assesses the effects of aerobic exercise on aspects of cognition, mood, and language production in people with PD. Methods: This study compares the effects of aerobic exercise to stretch-balance training and a no-contact control group in participants with idiopathic PD. The aerobic and stretch-balance groups trained three times a week for 16 weeks, while controls continued normal activities. Outcome measures included disease severity, mood, cognition (speed of processing, memory, and executive function), and language production (picture descriptions). Cognition and language were assessed in single and dual task conditions. Results: Depressive symptoms increased only in the control group (p<.02). Executive function improved in the aerobic exercise group only in the single task (p=.007) and declined in controls in the dual task. Completeness of picture descriptions improved significantly more in the aerobic group than in the stretch-balance group (p<.02). Conclusions: Aerobic exercise is a viable intervention for PD that can be protective against increased depressive symptoms, and can improve several non-motor domains, including executive dysfunction and related aspects of language production. (JINS, 2016, 22, 878–889)


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document