Effect of Cooling Intervention on Reducing Rigidity in Parkinson′s Disease: A Case Report

RuiPing Xia, Caleb Gillig, Drew Mueller, Mitchell Ludwig and Zachary Schmith

Department of Physical Therapy, University of St. Mary, USA

^*Correspondance to: RuiPing Xia 

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Abstract:

Objective: Describe potential changes in parkinsonian rigidity after an administration of cooling intervention.Methods: Two patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) participated in the study that applied the forearm cooling intervention and objectively evaluated rigidity at the wrist joint through a cycle of passive flexion and extension movements of ±45° at a velocity of 50°/sec. Both patients underwent a baseline assessment (Pretest), and an immediate assessment after cooling intervention (Posttest) and 30 minutes after the cooling (30-min Posttest). Rigidity temporal score (Nm-sec) and work score (Nm-deg) were used to quantify and compare rigidity between the Pretest and the Posttests.Results: In Case #1, there were reductions in both rigidity scores at Posttest and relatively smaller reductions at 30-min Posttest after cooling. Case 2 demonstrated a slight increase immediately posttest which was followed with a slight decrease at 30-min Posttest.Discussion and
Conclusion: Cooling intervention appears to be a promising therapy in treating parkinsonian rigidity. Future research on a larger sample size is warranted for further investigation of the effectiveness of cooling therapy.

Keywords:

Parkinson’s disease; Rigidity; Physical therapy; Cooling intervention

Cite the Article:

RuiPing Xia, Gillig C, Mueller D, Ludwig M, Schmith Z. Effect of Cooling Intervention on Reducing Rigidity in Parkinson′s Disease: A Case Report. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2017; 2: 1363.