Fatigue and Muscle Strength Involving Walking Speed in Parkinson's Disease: Insights for Developing Rehabilitation Strategy for PD.
Background. Problems with gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) are a challenge in neurorehabilitation, partly because the mechanisms causing the walking disability are unclear. Weakness and fatigue, which may significantly influence gait, are commonly reported by patients with PD. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between weakness and fatigue and walking ability in patients with PD.Methods. We recruited 25 patients with idiopathic PD and 25 age-matched healthy adults. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), twitch force, and voluntary activation levels were measured before and after a knee fatigue exercise. General fatigue, central fatigue, and peripheral fatigue were quantified by exercise-induced changes in MVC, twitch force, and activation level. In addition, subjective fatigue was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).Results. The patients with PD had lower activation levels, more central fatigue, and more subjective fatigue than the healthy controls. There were no significant differences in twitch force or peripheral fatigue index between the two groups. The reduction in walking speed was related to the loss of peripheral strength and PD itself.Conclusion. Fatigue and weakness of central origin were related to PD, while peripheral strength was important for walking ability. The results suggest that rehabilitation programs for PD should focus on improving both central and peripheral components of force.
Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fusing St., Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Neuroscience Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fusing St., Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Central University, 300 Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan.
Ying-Zu
0000-0002-8666-4013
YZ
Huang
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan; Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Fang-Yu
FY
Chang
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Wei-Chia
WC
Liu
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fusing St., Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Yu-Fen
YF
Chuang
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fusing St., Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Li-Ling
LL
Chuang
Neuroscience Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fusing St., Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Ya-Ju
0000-0002-9102-4352
YJ
Chang
D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D057566:Self Report; D000072797:Walking Speed / Q000502:physiology*