1. Dopamine modulation affects the performance of parkinsonian patients in a precision motor task measured by an antropomorphic device
- Author
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Nombela, Cristina, Pedreño-Molina, Juan Luis, Ros-Bernal, Francisco, Molina-Vilaplana, Javier, Fdez-Villalba, Emiliano, López-Coronado, Juan, and Herrero, María-Trinidad
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DOPAMINE , *PARKINSONIAN disorders , *MOTOR ability testing , *GRIP strength , *HAND , *TASK performance , *HUMAN locomotion , *MOVEMENT disorders , *PATIENTS - Abstract
Abstract: Several parameters related to the timing, grip force and load force involved in a precision grasping task were studied in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at different moments of medication and healthy controls, using a sensorized anthropomorphic device which was totally adapted to the human hand. The aim of this work was to carry out an accurate study of the reach-load-grip-hold-place-release subtasks to identify any physical motor impairment, its relation to medication and Parkinsonian strategies. Twenty seven patients in ON and OFF-like medication moments, and twenty seven age-matched controls took part in the experiment, which consisted of using the index finger and the thumb to perform a precision motor task involving different experimental objects. Visual cues were used as distracting elements. Results showed several motor parameters impaired in OFF-like medication moment but attenuated in ON state, suggesting a medication effect on the performance of the task. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
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