Table 1 Demographic, medical and upper limb electrophysiologic data of the cohort
Patients (n = 54) | |
|---|---|
Demographic features | |
Female | 25 (46%) |
Male | 29 (54%) |
Mean age at evaluation, range | 62 years (18–80) |
Mean AAO of tremor, range | 48 years (6–77) |
Duration of tremor, range | 14.5 years (1–55) |
Family history of essential tremor | 29 (54%) |
Family history of Parkinson’s disease | 2 (3.5%) |
Family history of ataxia | 0 |
Family history of other neurodegenerative disease | 2 (3.5%) |
Marked benefit of alcohol (n = 44 patients) | 13 (30%) |
Increased at morninga | 10 (20%) |
Increased with emotionsb | 44 (82%) |
Increased with physical exercisec | 22 (41%) |
Initial location of tremor | |
One hand | 27 (50%) |
Dominant hand | 23 (42%) |
Two hands | 27 (50%) |
Current location of tremor | |
Upper limbs | 54 (100%) |
Bilateral | 54 (100%) |
Unilateral | 0 |
Symmetrical | 17 (32%) |
Lower limbs | 4 (7%) |
Head | 14 (26%) |
Voice | 9 (17%) |
Trunk | 2 (4%) |
Other clinical signs | |
Akinesia | 5 (9%) |
Ataxia | 2 (4%) |
TETRAS score (performance subscale), range | 8.5 (1–21) |
Electrophysiologic findings in upper limb extremities | |
Rest tremor | 10 (18%) |
Postural tremor | 54 (100%) |
Intentional tremor | 46 (85%) |
Postural tremor only | 5 (9%) |
Rest, postural and intentional tremor | 8 (15%) |
Frequency of postural tremor | 6.3 Hz (3.8–11) |