Evaluation of timed tests in advanced Parkinsonian patients who were candidates for subthalamic stimulation.
The evaluation of Parkinson disease relies on the use of clinical scales, mainly the UPDRS. However, especially for those candidates for functional surgery, other objective methods are also considered, including the use of timed tests.


METHODS
The authors studied the motor performance of 33 patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) who were candidates for subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation. Presurgical motor evaluation included UPDRS and the 4 timed tests of the CAPIT protocol, including pronation-supination (PS), finger dexterity (FD), movement between 2 points (MTP), and the walking test (WT). A clinical evaluation was performed during patients' OFF condition and during their best ON state. Fifteen patients were implanted with STN stimulation and were evaluated at 6 months with the same protocol described for the presurgical evaluation.


RESULTS
At baseline, all 4 timed tests significantly correlated with total and motor UPDRS scores, in the OFF and ON states, especially MTP. All timed tests, save WT, significantly improved after surgery in the OFF state (especially MTP; P = 0.002). After surgery, all timed tests, save FD, significantly correlated with total and motor UPDRS scores in the OFF state. Timed tests, especially MTP, maintained an excellent correlation with UPDRS in both OFF and ON states before and after surgery.
Garcia Ruiz
Pedro J
PJ
Department of Neurology, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain. pgarcia@fjd.es
Muñiz de Igneson
Jesús
J
Ayerbe
Joaquin
J
Frech
Fernando
F
Sánchez Bernardos
Vicenta
V
Lopez Ferro
Oswaldo
O
Gudin
Rosario
R
D000368:Aged; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors