Parkinson’s disease
The pharmacological therapy for treating Parkinson’s disease consists of a twofold approach: on the one hand administering L-DOPA to replenish deficient levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain and, on the other, administering dopamine agonists to support existing dopamine activity.
The response to both L-dopa and dopamine agonists such as apomorphine is tested according to a standardized protocol. A positive test result (positive response to L-DOPA and/or apomorphine) confirms the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
In cases of a positive response, the test result is used to establish the dose of medication needed or to optimize an existing therapy.
Spasticity
After a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, overactivity of “misdirected” mechanisms in the central nervous system can lead to painful cramps (increased muscle tone or spasticity) in the paralyzed muscles.
To establish a proper antispastic therapy, a specific evaluation is necessary to identify affected muscles and the factors triggering spasticity.
Following a standardized step-by-step plan, physical stimuli, electrical therapy modalities and antispastic medication are tested. The further therapeutic intervention is then based on the test results.
Pain
Many neurological disorders are primarily or secondarily accompanied by pain of varying intensity and quality.
To establish a suitable pain therapy program, all of the following must first be determined: the exact source of pain (nerves or soft tissue), its precise localization and distribution at different times of the day, and the factors responsible for triggering pain.
Thus, a standardized, stepwise testing plan is followed to test the patient’s response to various physical stimuli, electrical treatment modalities and antispastic medications. In turn, the test results are used to establish the individualized therapy program.