An investigation of two interventions for micrographia in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study was designed to compare a change in micrographia between using grid lines and parallel horizontal lines as visual cues in individuals with Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Single group pre- and post-test.


METHODS
Research lab.


METHODS
Eleven males with Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Practice writing words with parallel and grid lines. The sequence of practising was randomized.


METHODS
Length of words.


RESULTS
The length of the words after practising with parallel lines was longer than in the initial free writing condition (17.83 ± 3.93 cm vs. 23.36 ± 5.82 cm, P =0.008). The length of the words after practising with grid lines was also longer than during free writing (17.83 ± 3.93 cm vs. 22.65 ± 4.04 cm, P =0.003). The length of the words after practising with parallel lines was not different from that after practising with grid lines.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvements in letter size after practising with horizontal parallel lines and grid lines were not different. The addition of vertical lines to form a grid did not appear to improve the writing more than horizontal lines alone in persons with Parkinson's disease who experienced micrographia.
Bryant
M S
MS
School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. mon.bryant@yahoo.com
Rintala
D H
DH
Lai
E C
EC
Protas
E J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D003463:Cues; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011214:Practice, Psychological