Impairment of Voluntary Movement in Parkinsonʼs Disease in Relation to Activation Level, Autonomic Malfunction, and Personality Rigidity

Activation level, personality rigidity, autonomic malfunction, and voluntary movement impairment were studied in 43 patients with Parkinson's disease--34 men and 9 women. Significant relationships were found between activation level and voluntary movement impairment and between activation level and personality rigidity. Results are discussed in terms of reticular activating system malfunction and assumed sensory deprivation. It is suggested that personality rigidity, a correlate of decreased activation level, may become manifest through attempted personality reintegration in the face of physiological changes.