Investigation of the Cardiac Autonomic Functions in Patients with Essential Tremor

Creative Commons License

Yaşar H., Büyüklü M.

KOŞUYOLU HEART JOURNAL, cilt.25, sa.2, ss.170-176, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 25 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.51645/khj.2022.m247
  • Dergi Adı: KOŞUYOLU HEART JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.170-176
  • Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking. The aim of this
study was to examine cardiac autonomic functions in patients diagnosed with essential tremor, as previous
studies have differed in their findings regarding whether cardiac autonomic functions are affected in essential
tremor patients.
Patients and Methods: The study included 32 patients diagnosed with essential tremor and 26 individuals
without any diseases as the control group. Consensus criteria were used for the diagnosis of essential tremor.
A clinical rating scale was utilized to measure the characteristics and degree of essential tremor. Based on this
scale, patients were classified as having a mild, moderate, marked, or severe disability. An exercise treadmill
test was performed in both the tremor and control groups. Chronotropic index values were used to evaluate
the sympathetic system, and resting heart rate index values were calculated to evaluate the parasympathetic
system. Heart rate recovery values were calculated at one, two, three, four, and five minutes after the exercise
treadmill test.
Results: The descriptive characteristics of the tremor and control groups were similar. The Chronotropic
index values were statistically different between the tremor and control groups, as they were significantly
decreased in the tremor group. This was evaluated as sympathetic incompetence. The resting heart rate index
values did not differ significantly between the tremor and control groups at minutes one or two, but they were
significantly higher in the tremor group at minutes three, four, and five. The parasympathetic activity was
found to be insufficient in the later period.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that cardiac autonomic functions may be affected in patients with essential
tremor.
Key Words: Essential tremor; autonomic nervous system; treadmill test; heart rate