Pain and Sensory Abnormalities in Parkinson’s Disease—An Age- and Gender-matched Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Background/aims: To test whether patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have an altered sensory perception in response to painful and nonpainful stimuli and if the PD medications can influence the responses. Methods: PD patients (12) and healthy subjects (12) were recruited. Sensory perception was examined in forearms, low back, and hands by light brush, pinprick, cold pressure test (CPT), and pressure algometry. Results: A significant difference was found in PD patients in response to brush (p<0.05) and pinprick (p<0.001). Lower back and forearms were found to be more sensitive. Tolerance time in CPT was shorter in PD patients (p=0.016). Pressure pain threshold (PPT) before (p=0.011) and after (p=0.050) the CPT showed a higher sensitivity in the patients regardless of the site. No association was found between the sensory perception and the medications. Conclusion: PD patients demonstrated an altered perception to touch and pain stimuli with a general increased in pain intensity and independent of the PD medications.