Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Hand Therapy, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that causes progressive limitations in the upper extremity. The cervical region plays an important role in sensorimotor control because it contains intense proprioceptive afferents. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of cervical sensorimotor training on upper extremity in Parkinson's disease within the framework of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Study Design: A single-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT05241015). Methods: Twenty-seven Parkinson's disease patients (63.4 ± 8.74 years of age) were randomly divided into the control group (n = 12) and the cervical sensorimotor training (n = 15). While control group received conventional physiotherapy for upper extremity, the cervical sensorimotor training group received cervical sensorimotor training additionally (3 days/8 weeks, 24 sessions). Body structure and functions (BS&F) were evaluated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) I-III-Total, Fahn Tolesa Marin (FTM) clinical tremor rating scale, finger tapping test (FTT), New York posture rating chart, Parkinson fatigue scale, grip/pinch strength, Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT), cervical muscles endurance tests, joint position error (JPE), Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT), and pressure pain threshold. Activity and participation (A&P) were evaluated with UPDRS II, Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT), dual tasks on PPT, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Results: In BS&F, a significant improvement in favor of the cervical sensorimotor training group was observed in cervical, shoulder, elbow, and wrist JPE, CCFT activation score, and CCFT performance index (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences between groups in UPDRS I-III-Total, FTM clinical tremor rating scale, FTT, New York posture rating chart, Parkinson fatigue scale, cervical muscles endurance tests, grip/pinch strength, SWMT, or pressure pain threshold (p > 0.05). In A&P, a significant improvement in favor of the control group was found only in the PDQ-39 ADL subscale score (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups in UPDRS II, PPT, dual tasks on PPT, DASH, or other subparameters of PDQ-39 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cervical sensorimotor training appears to be more effective in increasing the strength and endurance of deep cervical muscles, cervical proprioception, and proprioception of all joints in upper extremity in BS&F within the framework of ICF in Parkinson's disease.