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Acupuncture Effect on Reaction-Time Changes in Parkinson's Disease Patients-Case Study Series
Catarina Ramos Pereira1,2,3,4, Henry J Greten5,6, Rubim Santos7
1ICBAS-Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|September 28, 2024
Summary
This study suggests acupuncture may improve reaction time in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. Improvements were noted in motor response to auditory stimuli, particularly for the more affected side and random sounds.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Integrative Medicine
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder impacting motor function, notably reaction time.
- Deficits in reaction time in PD patients can lead to falls, reduced independence, and decreased quality of life.
- Investigating non-pharmacological interventions like acupuncture is crucial for managing PD symptoms.
Observation:
- A case series design was used to evaluate motor time response in PD patients undergoing acupuncture.
- Reaction time to rhythmic and random auditory stimuli was measured over a one-month treatment period.
- Objective measurements were taken using the MP 36 system from Biopac Systems.
Findings:
- A tendency for improved reaction time was observed, particularly on the more affected side of the body.
- Patients showed a trend towards better responses to random auditory stimuli compared to rhythmic ones.
- Cumulative effects of the acupuncture protocol suggested a potential for enhanced motor response efficacy.
Implications:
- Reaction time may serve as a sensitive indicator for assessing motor function in Parkinson's Disease.
- The studied acupuncture protocol shows potential for improving motor response efficacy in PD patients.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to statistically validate these findings and explore early-stage disease efficacy.
