Relationship Between Mood and Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease

Mood fluctuations have been reported in up to two-thirds of patients with Parkinson's disease who experience motor fluctuations. Most researchers indicate that mood fluctuations tend to be associated with motor fluctuations in that patients experience decreased mood when “off” (immobile) and elevated mood when “on” (mobile). Sixteen patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations completed hourly diaries for 7 consecutive days documenting their mood, anxiety, and motor states using visual analogue scales. Mood and anxiety fluctuations were frequently documented. Motor and emotional states were not, however, consistently correlated. When they were correlated, the most frequent pattern was the common occurrence of decreased mood, increased anxiety, and reduced motor function.