Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms including muscle rigidity as one of major motor symptoms affecting quality of life of Parkinson's disease patients, thus we aim to assess and quantify muscle stiffness in those patients using Ultrasound shear wave elastography .
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms like tremors, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, and postural instability, as well as various non-motor symptoms . While the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not fully understood, it is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, leading to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain . PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, primarily affecting those over 60, with a higher prevalence in men . The disease significantly impacts quality of life due to progressive motor and non-motor disabilities, and while treatments can alleviate symptoms, there is currently no cure . Disease progression and prognosis vary, with advanced stages often leading to severe disability and reduced life expectancy . Muscle rigidity, one of the major motor symptoms, refers to the increased resistance when muscles are passively stretched . Accurate assessment of muscle stiffness is essential for monitoring disease progression and evaluating therapeutic interventions . Traditionally, clinical assessment tools like the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), part III, are used to evaluate rigidity severity in PD patients . These assessments, involving manual joint movement and muscle palpation by professionals, are subjective and prone to error . Thus, there is a growing need for noninvasive, quantitative tools to assess muscle stiffness in PD patients . Tools like electromyography (EMG) and myotonometry offer quantitative measurements . Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) is another non-invasive technique that measures tissue stiffness by analyzing shear wave propagation. While SWE shows promise for various conditions, its application in PD-related muscle rigidity remains relatively unexplored .
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
68
An ultrasound machine (GE LogiQ S8) equipped with SWE technology will be used. A high-frequency linear transducer will be used and The machine settings will be optimized for musculoskeletal applications.
Quantification of muscle stiffness in the study groups.
The primary outcome will be the measurement of muscle stiffness using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) and comparing muscle stiffness values between Parkinson's disease patients and healthy non Parkinson's controls.
Time frame: Baseline
Correlation of the measured muscle stiffness with clinical severity of Parkinson's disease.
Secondary outcomes will include the correlation of muscle stiffness values with clinical severity scores, such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). This will help to assess the relationship between increased muscle stiffness and the progression of Parkinson's Disease.
Time frame: Baseline
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