Parkinsonian tremor

Last reviewed 06/2022

Parkinsonian tremor is a 4-8 Hz tremor that is of variable amplitude. It may precede the rigidity of the condition by a time course of months to years. It is usually present when the limb is at rest - 'static tremor' although 50% of patients have a postural component.

Primary features include:

  • aggravation by resting, walking, the use of other limbs
  • the tremor disappears when the patient is asleep
  • a degree of voluntary control over the tremor - the patient may attempt to control it by tightly gripping a rolled up newspaper or another object
  • typically, the tremor could be either of,
    • a flexion-extension elbow movement
    • a pronation-supination of the forearm
    • a pill-rolling finger movement. (1)
  • rarely the head - flexion and extension; rarely the mandible - rhythmical opening of mouth
  • may be unilateral

Reference: