Recent advancements in lateral trunk flexion in Parkinson disease

Abstract

Purpose of reviewUnderstanding the pathophysiologic underpinnings of lateral trunk flexion (LTF) in Parkinson disease (PD) has been growing. Adjusting antiparkinsonian medications, botulinum toxin, or surgical intervention has been found efficacious in some patients. Nevertheless, these treatments remain limited, often resulting in inadequate outcomes. We review patients with LTF with PD, including recent advancements in treatment and neuroimaging examination.Recent findingsThe basal ganglia system is a major contributing factor to LTF, and the therapeutic intervention also targets the basal ganglia system, including dystonic contraction. The perceptions of the postural verticality or spatial cognition of the correct body orientation promote the severity of LTF or result in a chronic condition with irreversible structural deformities.ConclusionThe combination of pharmacologic interventions with nonpharmacologic interventions, such as rehabilitation, might be needed to manage LTF, and the initiation of these treatments should be started as early as possible.