Article

Controversy exists as to whether muscle weakness is present in Parkinson's
disease (PD). Computerized literature searches identified clinical trials and
reviews about muscular strength assessment in patients with Parkinson's disease,
using the following databases: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, the Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Seventeen articles fulfilled all
criteria for selection. These studies suggested that isokinetic muscle strength
was decreased in patients with Parkinson's disease and that muscle weakness was
not specifically related to tremor or rigidity. Bilateral asymmetrical muscle
weakness was present in Parkinson's disease when presenting with clinical
unilateral hemiparkinsonism. Recent studies using sensitive mechanical devices
have provided evidence that muscle strength is reduced in patients with
Parkinson's disease compared with age-matched controls. The specific cause of
this weakness is not known. Questions under debate were whether this weakness was
of central or peripheral origin and whether it was intrinsic to the disease or a
secondary phenomenon.

Langue : ANGLAIS