Biomaterial Database

Quantifying rigidity with a new computerized elbow device. 1996

M A Relja, and D Petravic, and M Kolaj

Department of Neurology, Medical School, Zagreb University, Croatia.

A new computerized method is described for measuring parkinsonian rigidity with an elbow device. We present data from 127 subjects (103 controls and 24 parkinsonian patients) to show the clinical utility of the method. The instrumental quantification of rigidity correlates highly with clinical ratings of parkinsonian rigidity. The test-retest repeatability was excellent. In parkinsonian patients versus normal controls, significantly higher values of measured rigidity were observed. Moreover, activation procedure significantly increases rigidity only in parkinsonian patients. Activated rigidity in control subjects is lower than basal values. The procedure was sensitive to increased rigidity in parkinsonian patients during 3 days' drug holiday. Contrary to previous reports, levodopa therapy reduced both basal and activated rigidity in parkinsonian patients. This method is relatively simple and takes only 15 min to complete.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009127	Muscle Rigidity	Continuous involuntary sustained muscle contraction which is often a manifestation of BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES. When an affected muscle is passively stretched, the degree of resistance remains constant regardless of the rate at which the muscle is stretched. This feature helps to distinguish rigidity from MUSCLE SPASTICITY. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p73)	Cogwheel Rigidity,Extrapyramidal Rigidity,Gegenhalten,Nuchal Rigidity,Rigidity, Muscular,Catatonic Rigidity,Extensor Rigidity,Cogwheel Rigidities,Gegenhaltens,Muscular Rigidity,Rigidities, Cogwheel,Rigidity, Catatonic,Rigidity, Cogwheel,Rigidity, Extensor,Rigidity, Extrapyramidal,Rigidity, Muscle,Rigidity, Nuchal
D010300	Parkinson Disease	A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75)	Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D004551	Elbow Joint	A hinge joint connecting the FOREARM to the ARM.	Elbow Joints,Joint, Elbow,Joints, Elbow
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly