Review Article

Pathophysiology of Motor Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease as the Rationale for Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation

Table 1

The glossary of the main motor and nonmotor symptoms and signs in Parkinson’s disease.

Symptom or signDescription

Cardinal motor symptoms and signs
 BradykinesiaSlowness of voluntary movement and/or a movement that is ongoing. For the companion terms akinesia and hypokinesia, see below
 Rest tremorAsymmetric 4–6 Hz moderate amplitude tremor, which usually involves the thumb (pill-rolling tremor). It may involve other body parts, such as the forearm pronation/supination, the leg adduction/abduction, and the jaw. Head tremor is rarely seen in PD. For other PD tremor types, see the text
 RigidityIncreased muscle tone felt during examination by passive movement of the affected segment, involving both flexor and extensor muscles and not increased with higher mobilization speed (in contrast with spasticity)
 Postural instabilityImpaired postural adjustment due to decrease or loss of postural reflexes
Other motor symptoms and signs (early and advanced disease stages)
 AkinesiaReduction, delay, or absence of either voluntary, spontaneous, or associated movement
 HypokinesiaReduced movement amplitude, particularly with repetitive movements
 HypomimiaReduced facial expression
 HypophoniaReduced voice volume
 MicrographiaSmall handwriting that becomes progressively smaller and less readable
 FestinationInvoluntary gait acceleration with step shortening
 TachyphemiaAcceleration of speech segments
 SialorrheaDrooling of saliva
 DysarthriaSlurred speech
 DysphagiaDifficulty in swallowing
 On phaseA phase characterized by a beneficial effect of levodopa with release from the parkinsonian symptoms and signs
 Off phaseA phase, in which the parkinsonian symptoms and signs take over, sometimes in the form of a crisis with severe bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Nonmotor off features include pain, paresthesia, sweating, thoracic oppression, and anxiety symptoms
 Freezing of gaitDifficulty in gait initiation (start hesitation) and paroxysmal unintentional episodes of motor block during walking
 Postural instabilityImpaired postural adjustment due to decrease or loss of postural reflexes
 AkathisiaFeeling of inner restlessness and strong need to be in constant motion associated with the inability to sit or stay still
 CamptocormiaAbnormal involuntary flexion of the trunk that appears when standing or walking and disappears in the supine position
 AnterocollisMarked neck flexion (>45%), disproportionate to trunk flexion
 Pisa syndromeTonic lateral flexion of the trunk associated with slight rotation along the sagittal plane
Selected nonmotor symptoms and signs
 Hyposmia/anosmiaReduction/loss of the sense of smell
 ConstipationInfrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements
 Orthostatic hypotensionA decrease in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mm Hg or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg within three minutes of standing when compared with blood pressure from the sitting or supine position
 FatigueOverwhelming sense of tiredness and feeling of exhaustion with difficulties in initiating and sustaining mental and physical tasks
 ApathyLack of motivation characterized by diminished goal-oriented behavior and cognition and reduced emotional expression
 Restless legs syndromeMovement disorder characterized by compelling urge to move the legs, particularly when in bed and trying to sleep

For depression, cognitive problems, and pain, see the text, PD: Parkinson’s disease.