Motor performance in normal pressure hydrocephalus assessed with an optoelectronic measurement technique.
The motor performance of 10 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) was clinically assessed with the aid of a computer assisted optoelectronic movement analysis system (Mac Reflex). We used the Posturo Locomotion Manual (PLM) method that gives a quantitative estimation of the postural, locomotor and manual performance in freely moving humans. Measurements were done before intervention, after CSF tap test and 3 months post installation of a CSF ventriculo peritoneal shunt. Comparison was made to data from 10 matched normal subjects and 10 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Shunt operation of the NPH patients and l-dopa treatment of the Parkinson patients improved the motor performance to a comparable degree. However, while the NPH patients improved the speed in the PLM test after the operation, the PD patients also improved the co-ordination after l-dopa treatment. This could indicate a different mechanism behind the improvement of motor performance in NPH and PD after intervention.
Matousek
M
M
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Wikkelsö
C
C
Blomsterwall
E
E
Johnels
B
B
Steg
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa