RESUMO
The effects of physical-therapy intervention on the motor function of upper limbs and the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are not fully understood. We evaluated the effects of a progressive muscle-strengthening protocol for upper limbs on the functionality and quality of life. Patients were divided into two groups: Intervention (nâ¯=â¯6) and Control (nâ¯=â¯7). Assessment tools used were: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Test d'Évaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Âgées (TEMPA), 10-Repetition Maximum (10-RM) and handgrip dynamometer, which were applied pre- and post-intervention, with follow-up for one month after the last training session. Only, the Intervention group (post-intervention) showed significant statistical differences, with the following outcomes: UPDRS III (pâ¯=â¯0.042); 9HPT, right (pâ¯=â¯0.028) and left side (pâ¯=â¯0.028); TEMPA for total right side (pâ¯=â¯0.028), left side (pâ¯=â¯0.028) and total bilateral tasks (pâ¯=â¯0.028); TEMPA task 2 - open a jar and take a spoonful of coffee (pâ¯=â¯0.028), task 3 - pick up a pitcher and pour water into a glass for right (pâ¯=â¯0.046) and left side (pâ¯=â¯0.028), task 5 - write on an envelope and stick on a stamp (pâ¯=â¯0.028), and task 6 - shuffle and deal playing cards (pâ¯=â¯0.028). We observed significant statistical differences between groups (post-intervention) for TEMPA task 6 (pâ¯=â¯0.032), total right side (pâ¯=â¯0.032), and total bilateral tasks (pâ¯=â¯0.032). An increase in the maximum load in the post-intervention stage, based on the 10-RM test, was observed on the right (pâ¯=â¯0.003) and left (pâ¯=â¯0.007) sides. Our results showed an improvement in upper-limb functionality in PD patients submitted to progressive muscle-strength training, although not in quality of life.