Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40671876›Full record

ArticleClinical parkinsonism & related disorders2025

Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol - Case series study.

Catarina Ramos Pereira, Jorge Machado, Begoña Criado, Rubim Santos, Ana Mafalda Reis, Bruno Ramos, Maria João Santos, Henry Johannes Greten

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical parkinsonism & related disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Catarina Ramos PereiraICBAS - Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Jorge MachadoICBAS - Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Begoña CriadoCBSIn - Center of Biosciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal.
Rubim SantosESS, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Ana Mafalda ReisHospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Bruno RamosICBAS - Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
Maria João SantosPiaget Institute, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Henry Johannes GretenDGTCM - German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The investigation of rigidity physiology in Parkinson's Disease involves the examination of reflexes. Parkinsonian patients often demonstrate reduced sensitivity in polysynaptic reflexes within the leg extensor muscles, which is correlated with their postural instability. The compensatory mechanisms for impaired proprioceptive reflex function may involve alterations in intrinsic muscle stiffness. The interplay between gait and reflexes is intricately linked to the nervous system's functioning and motor control. Certain reflexes, such as patellar reflex, play a pivotal role in maintaining walking and posture. Ensuring the integrity of these reflexes is essential for facilitating smooth and efficient walking. Aim: To analyze the behavior of patellar reflex in four Parkinson's Disease patients undergoing an acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods: This study adopts a case series design. Reflex outcomes based on amplitude and velocity were assessed at six different time moments throughout a month-long treatment protocol using the MP 36, Biopac Systems. Results: Over the long term, a tendency for an improvement in range of movement and velocity of the patellar reflex, was observed. Nevertheless, in specific cases, a reduction in the amplitude during acute effects was also found. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the acupuncture protocol used may lead to a cumulative improvement in efficacy of patellar reflex in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, further in-depth research, including a statistical evaluation with a larger participant pool, is necessary to validate and confirm these promising preliminary results.

Indexed as

AcupunctureAmplitudeBiopac SystemHeidelberg ModelParkinson DiseasePatellar ReflexTraditional Chinese Medicine

Identifiers

PMID40671876
PMCPMC12264233

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