Citation

Bilodeau M, Keen DA, Sweeney PJ, Shields RW, Enoka RM. Muscle Nerve 2000; 23(5): 771-778.

Affiliation

Physical Therapy Graduate Program, University of Iowa, 2600 Steindler Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. martin-bilodeau@uiowa.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10797401

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of a strength-training program on the ability of persons with essential tremor to exert steady forces with the index finger. Thirteen subjects with a diagnosis of essential tremor were assigned to three different groups: one group trained with heavy loads, one with light loads, and one did not perform any training. Subjects attempted to generate steady contractions during both postural and constant-force tasks. Steadiness was quantified by the root mean square amplitude of acceleration during postural tasks and the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of force during the constant-force tasks. Subjects who performed the training program with heavy loads experienced an increase in steadiness around the target force during the constant-force tasks. Subjects in the other two groups did not exhibit any changes. These findings suggest that strength training can decrease the magnitude of tremor. However, we did not observe any associated improvements in functional abilities.

Language: en