Ten-Second Cold Water Stress Test Differentiates Parkinson's Disease from Multiple System Atrophy: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Autonomic Dysfunction
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) patients often present with cold hands, a symptom also noted in multiple system atrophy (MSA).
• The underlying mechanisms and differences in cold extremities between PD and MSA are not fully understood.
• Autonomic dysfunction is implicated in these temperature-related symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify a cold stimulation test to differentiate between Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
• To utilize finger surface temperature (FST) changes in response to cold exposure for diagnostic distinction.

Main Methods:

• A cold water stress test (10sec-CWST) involving immersion of the hand in 4°C water for 10 seconds was administered.
• Finger surface temperature (FST) was monitored using thermal imaging for 15 minutes post-immersion.
• The recovery rate of FST and its correlation with clinical characteristics were analyzed in 34 patients (27 PD, 7 MSA).

Main Results:

• The 10sec-CWST was safely completed by all participants.
• Patients with PD exhibited significantly slower FST recovery compared to MSA patients, particularly evident at 11 minutes post-test.
• Slower FST recovery at 11 minutes showed a negative correlation with the severity of resting hand tremor in PD patients.

Conclusions:

• Finger surface temperature (FST) measurement following a 10-second cold water stress test (10sec-CWST) shows potential as a safe and effective method.
• This FST-based test may aid in differentiating between Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).