A novel method improving motor disturbance in Parkinson disease: Application of glycerin poultice to the flexor digitorum profundus in the middle phalanx of the little finger

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Yasuda, Yuzuru^{; *}

Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Yasuda Clinic, Kyoto, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Department of Neurology, Yasuda Clinic, 62-7, Takenokaido-cho, Takehana, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8080, Japan. Tel.: +81 75 583 2288; Fax: +81 75 583 2228; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Objective:To investigate whether the application of glycerin poultice to the flexor digitorum profundus in the middle phalanx of the little finger (GFML) improves motor disturbance in Parkinson Disease (PD). Methods:Dorsiflexion of the little finger and diameter of the pupil in 22 patients with PD and 23 control subjects was evaluated before and after application of GFML. Motor disturbance in patients with PD was evaluated before and after application of GFML. Results:The application of GFML increased dorsiflexion of the little finger and constricted the pupil in all subjects, which suggests that application of GFML caused the decreased tension of the flexor digitorum profundus and lowered sympathetic nerve activity. With application of GFML, motor disturbance in patients with PD was improved. Conclusions:The application of GFML improves motor disturbance in PD which might be caused by reversing the mechanism of the muscle mechanosensitive reflex.

Keywords: Parkinson disease, glycerin poultice, flexor digitorum profundus in the middle phalanx of the little finger, sympathetic nerve activity, muscle mechanosensitive reflex

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2009-0471

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 219-223, 2009