Lower Limb Rigidity Is Associated with Frequent Falls in Parkinson's Disease.
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ABSTRACT: Background and objective
The role of muscle rigidity as an etiological factor of falls in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood. Our objective was to determine whether lower leg rigidity was differentially associated with frequent falls in PD compared to upper limb, neck, and total rigidity measures.Methods
We examined the associations between Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Part III (motor) rigidity subscores and the history of monthly or more frequent falls in 216 individuals with PD (age, 66?±?10 years; 36% female; disease duration, 7?±?5 years) with logistic regression.Results
A total of 35 individuals were frequent fallers. Significant associations were identified between lower limb rigidity and frequent falls (P =?0.01) after controlling for age, sex, PD duration, total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale- Part III score, and presence of freezing of gait. No significant associations (P???0.14) were identified for total, arm, or neck rigidity.Conclusion
Lower limb rigidity is related to frequent falls in people with PD. Further investigation may be warranted into how parkinsonian rigidity could cause falls.
SUBMITTER: McKay JL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6660233 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Lower Limb Rigidity Is Associated with Frequent Falls in Parkinson's Disease.
McKay J Lucas JL Hackney Madeleine E ME Factor Stewart A SA Ting Lena H LH
Movement disorders clinical practice 20190606 6
<h4>Background and objective</h4>The role of muscle rigidity as an etiological factor of falls in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood. Our objective was to determine whether lower leg rigidity was differentially associated with frequent falls in PD compared to upper limb, neck, and total rigidity measures.<h4>Methods</h4>We examined the associations between Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Part III (motor) rigidity subscores and the history of monthly or more frequent falls in ...[more]
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