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Abstract Details

Motion analysis of the pendulum test to assess rigidity in people with Parkinson’s disease
Movement Disorders
P11 - Poster Session 11 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
3-003
Our aim is to assess the pendulum test as an objective method to evaluate the severity of lower limb rigidity in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). 
Rigidity is evaluated by physical manipulation of the limbs in the relaxed state and is described as a constant passive resistance to the movement throughout the range of motion. The standard clinical assessment of rigidity is susceptible to problems of sensitivity and reliability due to the variability across raters. The pendulum test is a diagnostic method used to objectively quantify spasticity by evaluating the pattern of lower leg movement after release from the horizontal, but its utility in Parkinsonian rigidity has been studied much less.
We recorded leg swing during the pendulum test in 15 PD participants (11 males/4 female, 67±10 years, MDS-UPRS-III 31.6±15.7, OFF medication) and 3 healthy controls (2 males/1 female, 56±12 years) in a relaxed state and while performing an activation maneuver (AM). We assessed first swing excursion, first extension peak, number and duration of oscillations and resting angle. 

PD participants had reduced first extension peak compare to healthy controls (mixed model ANOVA p<0.05).  PD participants also exhibited a trend toward reduced first swing excursion (0.054) and number of the oscillations (p = 0.063). However, the AM lead to variable changes in the pendulum test outcomes between participants.

Kinematic data during the pendulum test are abnormal in PD patients. The outcomes of the pendulum test may provide an objective quantitative measure of lower limb rigidity. The reduction of the first extension peak could reflect an increase in muscle tone or reflex activity of the knee flexors. Our prior work suggest that using computational models could help identify physiological mechanisms underlying different abnormal features of pendulum test kinematics.
Authors/Disclosures
Giovanni Martino, PhD (Emory University)
PRESENTER 		No disclosure on file
Johnathan L. McKay, PhD (Emory University) The institution of Dr. McKay has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. McKay has received research support from the McCamish Foundation.
No disclosure on file
Stewart A. Factor, DO, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Emory University School of Medicine) Dr. Factor has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Neurocrine. Dr. Factor has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Factor has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Takeda. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from Biohaven. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from Neurocrine. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from Supernus. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from Sun Pharmaceuticals Advanced Research Company. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from Aspen. The institution of Dr. Factor has received research support from RHO. Dr. Factor has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Factor has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Factor has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Factor has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
No disclosure on file