Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study
Introduction: The investigation of rigidity physiology in Parkinson’s Disease involves the examination of reflexes. Parkinsonian patients often demonstrate reduced sensitivity in polysynaptic reflexes within the leg extensor muscles, which is correlated with their postural instability. The compensat...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590112525000283 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850141545069543424 |
|---|---|
| author | Catarina Ramos Pereira Jorge Machado Begoña Criado Rubim Santos Ana Mafalda Reis Bruno Ramos Maria João Santos Henry Johannes Greten |
| author_facet | Catarina Ramos Pereira Jorge Machado Begoña Criado Rubim Santos Ana Mafalda Reis Bruno Ramos Maria João Santos Henry Johannes Greten |
| author_sort | Catarina Ramos Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The investigation of rigidity physiology in Parkinson’s Disease involves the examination of reflexes. Parkinsonian patients often demonstrate reduced sensitivity in polysynaptic reflexes within the leg extensor muscles, which is correlated with their postural instability. The compensatory mechanisms for impaired proprioceptive reflex function may involve alterations in intrinsic muscle stiffness. The interplay between gait and reflexes is intricately linked to the nervous system’s functioning and motor control. Certain reflexes, such as patellar reflex, play a pivotal role in maintaining walking and posture. Ensuring the integrity of these reflexes is essential for facilitating smooth and efficient walking. Aim: To analyze the behavior of patellar reflex in four Parkinson’s Disease patients undergoing an acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods: This study adopts a case series design. Reflex outcomes based on amplitude and velocity were assessed at six different time moments throughout a month-long treatment protocol using the MP 36, Biopac Systems. Results: Over the long term, a tendency for an improvement in range of movement and velocity of the patellar reflex, was observed. Nevertheless, in specific cases, a reduction in the amplitude during acute effects was also found. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the acupuncture protocol used may lead to a cumulative improvement in efficacy of patellar reflex in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, further in-depth research, including a statistical evaluation with a larger participant pool, is necessary to validate and confirm these promising preliminary results. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77a3ea87ead4410aa14f7de1e611f033 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1125 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-77a3ea87ead4410aa14f7de1e611f0332025-08-20T02:29:24ZengElsevierClinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders2590-11252025-01-011210032410.1016/j.prdoa.2025.100324Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series studyCatarina Ramos Pereira0Jorge Machado1Begoña Criado2Rubim Santos3Ana Mafalda Reis4Bruno Ramos5Maria João Santos6Henry Johannes Greten7ICBAS – Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Piaget Institute, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; CBSIn – Center of Biosciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal; Academia de Saúde C+, Porto, Portugal; Corresponding author at: ICBAS – Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.ICBAS – Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; CBSIn – Center of Biosciences in Integrative Health, Porto, PortugalCBSIn – Center of Biosciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal; Academia de Saúde C+, Porto, Portugal; 1H-TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, PortugalESS, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, PortugalHospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, PortugalICBAS – Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; CBSIn – Center of Biosciences in Integrative Health, Porto, PortugalPiaget Institute, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Academia de Saúde C+, Porto, PortugalDGTCM - German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany; HSCM - Heidelberg School of Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, GermanyIntroduction: The investigation of rigidity physiology in Parkinson’s Disease involves the examination of reflexes. Parkinsonian patients often demonstrate reduced sensitivity in polysynaptic reflexes within the leg extensor muscles, which is correlated with their postural instability. The compensatory mechanisms for impaired proprioceptive reflex function may involve alterations in intrinsic muscle stiffness. The interplay between gait and reflexes is intricately linked to the nervous system’s functioning and motor control. Certain reflexes, such as patellar reflex, play a pivotal role in maintaining walking and posture. Ensuring the integrity of these reflexes is essential for facilitating smooth and efficient walking. Aim: To analyze the behavior of patellar reflex in four Parkinson’s Disease patients undergoing an acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods: This study adopts a case series design. Reflex outcomes based on amplitude and velocity were assessed at six different time moments throughout a month-long treatment protocol using the MP 36, Biopac Systems. Results: Over the long term, a tendency for an improvement in range of movement and velocity of the patellar reflex, was observed. Nevertheless, in specific cases, a reduction in the amplitude during acute effects was also found. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the acupuncture protocol used may lead to a cumulative improvement in efficacy of patellar reflex in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, further in-depth research, including a statistical evaluation with a larger participant pool, is necessary to validate and confirm these promising preliminary results.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590112525000283AcupunctureTraditional Chinese MedicineHeidelberg ModelParkinson DiseasePatellar ReflexBiopac System |
| spellingShingle | Catarina Ramos Pereira Jorge Machado Begoña Criado Rubim Santos Ana Mafalda Reis Bruno Ramos Maria João Santos Henry Johannes Greten Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine Heidelberg Model Parkinson Disease Patellar Reflex Biopac System |
| title | Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study |
| title_full | Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study |
| title_short | Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series study |
| title_sort | analysis of patellar reflex in parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol case series study |
| topic | Acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine Heidelberg Model Parkinson Disease Patellar Reflex Biopac System |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590112525000283 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT catarinaramospereira analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT jorgemachado analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT begonacriado analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT rubimsantos analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT anamafaldareis analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT brunoramos analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT mariajoaosantos analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy AT henryjohannesgreten analysisofpatellarreflexinparkinsondiseasepatientsafteranacupuncturetreatmentprotocolcaseseriesstudy |