Effects of upper limb vibratory stimulation training on motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: an observational study

Authors

  • Valentina Varalta Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.
  • Anna Righetti Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.
  • Elisa Evangelista Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
  • Alberto Vantini Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
  • Alessandro Martoni Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona
  • Stefano Tamburin Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona
  • Cristina Fonte Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.
  • Ilaria Antonella Di Vico Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona.
  • Michele Tinazzi Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurology Unit, USD Parkinson e Disturbi del Movimento, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.
  • Andreas Waldner Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Private Hospital "Villa Melitta", Bolzano
  • Alessandro Picelli Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona;  Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress (CANOSC), Kingston, ON K7K 1Z6, Canada.
  • Mirko Filippetti Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.
  • Nicola Smania Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.19495

Keywords:

tremor, movement disorders, rehabilitation

Abstract

Objectives: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Tremor is one of the motor symptoms that can affect manual skills and have an impact on daily activities. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of upper limb training provided by a specific vibratory device (Armshake®, Move It GmbH - Bochum, Germany) on tremor and motor functionality in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, the training effect on global cognitive functioning is assessed.

Design: An uncontrolled before-after clinical trial.

Patients: Individuals with diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, motor upper limbs deficits, and absence of dementia.

Methods: Participants underwent a 3-week programme (3 times a week) and was evaluated before, after, and at 1 month follow-up by motor (Fahn Tolosa Marin Tremor Rating Scale, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale – part III, Purdue Pegboard Test, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire) and cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scales.

Results: Twenty subjects are included. After treatment a statistically significant improvement in tremor, manual dexterity and activities of daily living was found. The data indicated no effects on global cognitive functioning.

Conclusion: These findings suggest positive effects of vibratory stimulation training on upper limb motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

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Author Biographies

Valentina Varalta, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona;

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Anna Righetti, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona;

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Elisa Evangelista, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona.

Alberto Vantini, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Alessandro Martoni, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona

Stefano Tamburin, Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona

Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Cristina Fonte, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona; Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona;

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Ilaria Antonella Di Vico, Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona.

Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Michele Tinazzi, Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurology Unit, USD Parkinson e Disturbi del Movimento, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona; 

Neurology Unit, USD Parkinson e Disturbi del Movimento, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

Andreas Waldner, Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Private Hospital "Villa Melitta", Bolzano

Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Private Hospital "Villa Melitta", Via Col di Lana 6, 39100 Bolzano

Alessandro Picelli, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona;  Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress (CANOSC), Kingston, ON K7K 1Z6, Canada.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona; 

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona; 

Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress (CANOSC), Kingston, ON K7K 1Z6, Canada.

Mirko Filippetti, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona; 

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona. 

Nicola Smania, Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona;  Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona.

Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center, Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona; 

Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona.

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2024-02-26

How to Cite

Varalta, V., Righetti, A., Evangelista, E., Vantini, A., Martoni, A., Tamburin, S., … Smania, N. (2024). Effects of upper limb vibratory stimulation training on motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: an observational study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm19495. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.19495

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Vol. 56 (2024)

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Original Report

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Copyright (c) 2024 Valentina Varalta, Anna Righetti, Elisa Evangelista, Alberto Vantini, Alessandro Martoni, Stefano Tamburin, Cristina Fonte, Ilaria Antonella Di Vico, Michele Tinazzi, Andreas Waldner, Alessandro Picelli, Mirko Filippetti, Nicola Smania

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