Muscle rigidity is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and it can significantly affect the quality of life of those who experience it. It manifests as resistance to passive movements of the limbs, making it difficult to perform daily activities and affecting overall mobility.
Understanding the causes of this rigidity and the available therapeutic options is crucial for improving symptom management and maintaining the best possible quality of life.
What is muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s?
Muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s is characterized by constant and involuntary tension of the muscles, making movements difficult and painful. This symptom results from the degeneration of dopaminergic cells in the brain, leading to altered motor control.
Rigidity can manifest evenly throughout the body or be localized in specific areas like the neck, shoulders, and limbs. It can contribute to a feeling of being “frozen” and make it difficult to walk or perform simple actions, such as dressing or getting up from a chair.
Pharmacological therapies for muscle rigidity
Pharmacological therapies are often the first approach to managing muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s patients. The most commonly used drugs are those based on levodopa, which helps restore dopamine levels in the brain, reducing motor symptoms and improving movement fluidity. Levodopa is often combined with other medications to prolong its effectiveness and reduce side effects, such as carbidopa, which helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it reaches the brain.
In some cases, dopamine agonists, which mimic the action of dopamine, or monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors, which slow down the breakdown of natural dopamine, may also be prescribed. However, the effectiveness of these drugs can vary from patient to patient, and continuous monitoring is often necessary to adjust the dosage to the specific needs of each individual, aiming to balance symptom control with reducing long-term side effects.
Exercise and physical therapy: allies against rigidity
In addition to medications, physical exercise and physiotherapy play a crucial role in improving muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s. Targeted exercises, such as stretching, can help maintain muscle elasticity and reduce tension, improving mobility and quality of life. Regular stretching, especially of the neck, shoulders, legs, and back muscles, is essential to prevent muscle shortening and maintain joint mobility.
Personalized physiotherapy programs may include stretching exercises, joint mobilization exercises, and techniques to improve balance and posture, such as LSVT BIG therapy, which helps patients make larger and more deliberate movements, counteracting the tendency to take small and stiff steps. Additionally, physiotherapy may involve the use of equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills, or support devices to facilitate safe and controlled movements during training sessions.
Activities like yoga or Tai Chi, which combine slow movements and breathing, can also be very helpful in maintaining flexibility and reducing rigidity. These disciplines not only help relax the muscles but also improve body awareness and coordination. Tai Chi, for instance, has proven to be particularly effective in improving balance and reducing the risk of falls, a common issue in Parkinson’s patients. Regular practice of these activities can also contribute to greater psychological well-being, helping with stress management and improving sleep quality.
A regular exercise program, combined with physiotherapy, can thus be a key element in counteracting muscle rigidity and helping Parkinson’s patients maintain greater independence in daily activities. It is important that these programs be followed under the guidance of a specialized physiotherapist, who can adapt the exercises to each patient’s specific needs.
Complementary therapies: AMPS therapy
Among the complementary therapies for treating Parkinson’s, the AMPS therapy, delivered by the Gondola Home medical device, represents an innovative support to improve patient mobility. This therapy consists of mechanical stimulations applied to specific points on the feet, which activate neurological reflexes involved in motor control. The stimulation of plantar receptors helps reactivate brain areas such as the sensorimotor cortex, striatum, and cerebellum, contributing to improvements in walking, flexibility, posture, and rigidity.
The Gondola Home device, designed for home use, allows patients to integrate this therapy into their daily routine, independently. Used two or three times a week, it helps maintain the mobility benefits over time and reduces the sensation of muscle rigidity, without interfering with ongoing pharmacological treatments. It is important that patients discuss the integration of AMPS therapy with their doctor to personalize it according to their needs and individual response.
Managing muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining medications, physical exercise, and complementary therapies. Every patient is unique and may respond differently to various treatments, which is why it is essential to follow the guidance of one’s doctor and adapt the therapeutic path to individual needs.
With proper management, it is possible to reduce rigidity and regain greater freedom of movement, thereby improving the quality of life.
References:
– https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/five-ways-help-muscle-stiffness-parkinsons-disease
– https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/rigidity-and-parkinsons-what-it-is-and-how-to-treat-it/
– https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/physical-therapy-for-parkinsons-disease
– https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/documents/parkinsons-exercise-recommendations-infographic.pdf
– https://www.parkinson.org/blog/awareness/exercise-recommendations
