title: FPL tendon thickness, tremor and hand functions in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Parkinson's disease (PD), a resting tremor of the thumb may affect the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and influence hand functions. We investigated the relationship between FPL tendon thickness and hand function in PD patients and compared these characteristics with those in healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hand grip and pinch strengths were measured. The participants completed the Duruöz hand index, the Sollerman's hand function test, and the Nine Hole Peg Test. The thickness of the FPL tendon was measured using ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FPL tendon was thicker in PD patients but was not associated with tremor severity. In PD patients, despite functional performance of the hands are impaired and grip strength is decreased, pinch strengths are preserved. FPL thickness was not correlated with grip and pinch strengths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The thicker FPL tendon may be associated with greater pinch and grip strengths and manual dexterity in healthy individuals. The presence of tremor is associated with a thicker FPL tendon.
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toktas
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe, University Faculty of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dundar
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurology, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özge Yilmaz
authors.initials: ÖY
authors.lastname: Kusbeci
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe, University Faculty of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alper Murat
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ulasli
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe, University Faculty of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Toy
authors.affiliation: Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurology, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oruc
keywords: Parkinson’s disease; hand function; tendon imaging; tremor