Purpose: The present study explored the frequency and pattern of functional motor problems of a group of Parkinson patients, as a first step towards developing a rational approach to rehabilitation intervention addressing the primary symptoms of the disease.
Method: Sixty patients, consisting of 40% women and 60% men with a mean age of 63.5 years and of which 88% were taking L-dopa, underwent a number of standardized clinical tests including part III of the UPDRS. They were also interviewed about the frequency of motor problems occurring at home.
Results: Loss of trunk rotation as expressed in rolling in supine and reduced arm swing were the most frequently registered motor disorders (73%, 75%). Freezing at the start of, or during, walking was not observed during clinical testing but was frequently claimed to occur at home (48%, 23%). A broad spectrum of deficits regarding gait, posture, transfers and distal motor problems formed a cluster, which was strongly correlated with bradykinesia (p < 0.001). Principal component analysis identified four distinct problem areas: (1) axial motor performance; (2) akinetic gait problems; (3) rigidity; and (4) tremor.
Conclusions: Parkinson patients, particularly in the later stages of the disease, presented with significant levels of functional disability which was mainly linked with the underlying impairment of bradykinesia.