• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate the angular velocity of forearm pronation/supination movement in Parkinson's disease patients, as a quantitative measure of the bradykinesia. Thirteen Parkinson's disease patients ($64{\pm}11.0$ yrs, male:6, female:7) participated in the experiments. The subjects' both right and left forearms were scored by a rater according to rapid alternating movement of hands category in the UPDRS (unified Parkinson's disease rating scale) and the angular velocity of forearm pronation/supination was measured at the same time. As analysis parameters, RMS (root mean square) angular velocity and RMS angle were used. The parameters showed negative correlation with the clinical score (RMS angular velocity: r= - 0.914, RMS angle: r= -0.749). The RMS angular velocity of all clinical scales were significantly different one another except for the non significant difference between those of scale 3 and 4. RMS angle of scale 0 was significantly different from those of scale 2, 3, 4 and that of scale 1 was significantly different from those of scale 3 and 4. This suggests that RMS angular velocity can be used for a quantitative measure of bradykinesia in motor examination.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.240-251
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• 2012

Assessment regarding the nutritional status of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is important because their nutritional status influences the outcome of disease. The purpose of this study investigated the dietary habits, dietary quality, and quality of life for Korean PD patients according to their nutritional status. Seventy PD patients were recruited from K University Hospital (KMC IRB#0918-07) from February 2010 to October 2011. To diagnose PD, the United Kingdom Parkinson's Society Brain Bank standards were used by a neurology physician. The participants were interviewed and assessed using various tools, including a general questionnaire, anthropometrics, questionnaires for dietary habits, dietary diversity score (DVS), dietary variety score (DVS), diet quality index-international (DQI-I), beck depression inventory (BDI), the Korean version of mini mental state examination (K-MMSE), and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The results of the study were as follows: 1) Most of the PD patients (69.0%) were at risk of malnutrition, and 8.5% and 22.5% of the subjects were malnourished and well-nourished, respectively. 2) Clinical symptoms (swallowing and chewing difficulties) were obvious, and the quality of diet (DDS, DVS, DQI-I) was low in the malnourished group (p < 0.01). 3) The malnourished group had significantly lower scores regarding SF-36 (quality of life) as well as that of cognitive function (p < 0.05). 4) The nutritional status of PD patients was significantly correlated with their depression (p < 0.05) and quality of life (p < 0.01). These results indicate that appropriate nutritional management will improve the nutritional status and quality of life as well as the cognitive function in Parkinson's disease patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2020

Background: Parkinson's disease(PD) affects not only motor symptoms, but also nonmotor symptoms. This study is a clinical trial to determine whether Qigong and acupuncture affect nonmotor symptoms of PD. Methods: A 2-arm parallel and randomized trial was performed with 21 participants who had received either Qigong meditation only [control group (CG)] or acupuncture and Qigong meditation [experimental group (EG)]. The participants' levels of the discomfort in nonmotor symptoms from Parkinson's disease were evaluated by using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scales (UPDRS 1) and Test of Smell Identification (TSI) before and after 12 treatments at baseline and 1 month after 12 treatments. Results: The both CG and EG showed improvements in the UPDRS 1 score after treatment by 5.6 ± 5.15 (p= 0.003; 74%) and 4.8 ± 3.80 (p = 0.004; 79%), respectively. The both CG and the EG did improvements in the TSI after treatment by 10.3 ± 4.37 (p < 0.001; 84%) and 12.6 ± 1.77 (p = 0.022; 100%), respectively. However, statistical differences were not observed between the CG and the EG using the UPDRS 1 and the TSI scores. Conclusion: The combination of Qigong and acupuncture and Qigong alone was shown to improve the nonmotor symptoms and olfactory function of PD. In the future, large-scale clinical studies on alternative treatment for PD and studies on mechanisms affecting nonmotor symptoms of acupuncture and Qigong are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.834-842
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on recovery of muscle atrophy induced by Parkinson's disease. Methods: The rat model was established by direct injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 20 ${\mu}g$) into the left striatum using stereotaxic surgery. Rats were divided into two groups; the Parkinson's disease group with vehicle treatment (Vehicle; n=12) or DHEA treatment group (DHEA; n=22). DHEA or vehicle was administrated intraperitoneally daily at a dose of 0.34 mmol/kg for 21 days. At 22-days after DHEA treatment, soleus, plantaris, and striatum were dissected. Results: The DHEA group showed significant increase (p<.01) in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons in the lesioned side substantia nigra compared to the vehicle group. Weights and Type I fiber cross-sectional areas of the contralateral soleus of the DHEA group were significantly greater than those of the vehicle group (p=.02, p=.00). Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation significantly decreased in the lesioned striatum, but was recovered with DHEA and also in the contralateral soleus muscle, Akt and ERK phosphorylation recovered significantly and the expression level of myosin heavy chain also recovered by DHEA treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DHEA treatment recovers Parkinson's disease induced contralateral soleus muscle atrophy through Akt and ERK phosphorylation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.34-43
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report improvement after application of herbal medicine (Soshiho-tang) treatment to a patient who has Parkinson's disease with pontine infarction. Methods : We treated the patient with acupuncture and herbal medication (Soshiho-tang). Results : We have experienced one case of patient who has Parkinson's disease with pontine infarction. This case improved significantly through herbal medication (Soshiho-tang) treatment. Conclusions : This study suggests herbal medication (Soshiho-tang) is effective for the improvement of the symptoms of a patient's who has Parkinson's disease with pontine infarction.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether virtual reality-based exercise could improve on balance, gait and fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods : Ten patients with Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into either an experimental or control group. The experimental subjects performed vertual reality-based exercise, whereas the control subjects performed conventional physical therapy for 4 weeks. The balance, gait and fall efficacy of all subjects were assessed by using the Measurement Training and Documentation (MTD) balance system, force platform system, Korean version of Berg Balance scale (K-BBS), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Korean version of Fall efficacy scale (K-FES) at pre training and post training. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze change before and after intervention in intra-group. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze changes of all variables in inter-groups. Results : Subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvements in difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway length, ground reaction force (GRF), 6MWT, and step length following training. The changes of difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, AP Sway Length, GRF, 6MWT, step length and K-FES scores in the experimental group were significantly more than them of the control group. Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that virtual reality-based exercise training is an intervention to improve on balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.172-183
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to determine whether manual acupuncture therapy is effective for symptoms of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods : Nineteen patients consecutively enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups : the first group (n=12) discontinued antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the second group (n=7) continued antiparkinsonian drug treatment Acupuncture therapy was performed twice a week for 8 weeks. In the first group, the acupuncture was performed after 2 weeks of drug wash-out period. The patient's symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the acupuncture by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage, Schwab & England activity of daily living and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire(FOGQ). Results : In the first group that discontinued. antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.0l4) and after 8 weeks (p=0.049) compared to the pre-treatment. Particularly, the scores of UPDRS III were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.032). In the second group that continued antiparkinsonian drug treatment, the total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.027) and after 8 weeks (p=0.018). Particularly, the scores of UPDRS II were significantly improved after 4 weeks (p=0.042) and after 8 weeks (p=0.043), and UPDRS IV were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.043). The scores of ADL were significantly improved after 8 weeks (p=0.046). Conclusion : This study suggests that manual acupuncture therapy is effective for the improvement of certain symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.116-123
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• 2009

Purpose: The study was done to identify lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to evaluate the factors affecting LUTS for the people with Parkinson's disease. Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional study with interviews using a structured questionnaire. The participants were 72 patients with Parkinson's disease who were seen in the Neurology clinic of a university hospital from September to November 2005. Results: Mean score of LUTS for the participants was 10.11. In each symptom score of LUTS (range 0-5), weak stream was the highest 2.06, followed by nocturia 1.71, and urgency 1.61. The severity of LUTS was moderate to severe group for 51%. LUTS were significantly different by regular exercise. Positive correlations were observed between Hoehn and Yahr stage (stage of disease severity) and frequencyand between Hoehn and Yahr stage and urgency (r=.280, p=.018; r=.328, p=.005). LUTS were significantly predicted by regular exercise (p=.001) which explained 15.0% of the variance in LUTS. Conclusion: Regular exercise was found to be a very important factor associated with LUTS for patients with Parkinson's disease.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.339-351
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• 2019

Purpose: This study identified the effects of dual-task gait training on balance, gait function, and activity of daily living in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: This study used a single-subject design. Two patients with Parkinson's disease participated in this study. Dual-task gait training was performed 1 hour per day 8 times during intervention phase. The subjects were measured 8 times in the baseline phase, 8 times in the intervention phase, and 8 times in the follow-up phase. The outcome measurements included a timed up and go test (TUG), a Berg balance scale (BBS), a 10 meter walk test (10MWT), a 6 minute walk test (6MWT), a dynamic gait index (DGI) and a Korean modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Results: When compared to the average of the baseline process, the data collected during the intervention period showed that the TUG and 10MWT results improved and the tendency line was above the baseline. In addition, BBS, 6MWT, DGI, and K-MBI values for both patients increased remarkably after the training. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that dual-task gait training may be helpful to improve balance, walking function, and activity of daily living for patients with Parkinson's disease. Further studies need to confirm our findings.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 2007

Parkinson's disease is one of the most frequent neurodegenerative diseases, which mainly affects the elderly. Parkinson's disease is often difficult to differentiate from atypical parkinson diorder such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy body, and corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, based on the clinical findings because of the similarity of phenotypes and lack of diagnostic markers. The accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and atypical Parkinson disorders is not only important for deciding on treatment regimens and providing prognosis, but also it is critical for studies designed to investigate etiology and pathogenesis of parkinsonism and to develop new therapeutic strategies. Although degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system results in marked loss of striatal dopamine content in most of the diseases causing parkinsonism, pathologic studies revealed different topographies of the neuronal cell loss in Parkisonism. Since the regional cerebral glucose metabolism is a marker of integrated local synaptic activity and as such is sensitive to both direct neuronal/synaptic damage and secondary functional disruption at synapses distant from the primary site of pathology, an assessment of the regional cerebral glucose metabolism with F-18 FDG PET is useful in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonism and evaluating the pathophysiology of parkisonism.