If an arm is rigid, how does resistance to movement respond to changes in velocity or direction?

Study for the Parkinson’s Disease Exam. Engage with detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If an arm is rigid, how does resistance to movement respond to changes in velocity or direction?

Explanation:
In Parkinson’s disease, rigidity is a uniform, velocity-independent increase in muscle tone. This means the resistance you feel when moving the arm passively stays essentially the same no matter how fast you move it or in which direction you move it. It’s described as lead-pipe rigidity. This contrasts with spasticity, where resistance rises with faster movement due to velocity-dependent stretch reflexes. So the arm feels consistently stiff across different speeds and directions.

In Parkinson’s disease, rigidity is a uniform, velocity-independent increase in muscle tone. This means the resistance you feel when moving the arm passively stays essentially the same no matter how fast you move it or in which direction you move it. It’s described as lead-pipe rigidity. This contrasts with spasticity, where resistance rises with faster movement due to velocity-dependent stretch reflexes. So the arm feels consistently stiff across different speeds and directions.

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