Bradykinesia is a progressive movement symptom commonly found in people with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. In the United States, up to 79% of people with Parkinson’s disease experience bradykinesia.

Bradykinesia occurs due to low levels of dopamine in the brain. It typically starts early in the disease stages and worsens with time.

People with bradykinesia move slower, which may manifest as a shuffling gait, diminished facial expression, or difficulty completing daily tasks. Several treatment options, including medication and exercise, can help reduce symptom frequency and severity.

Bradykinesia, or slow movement, can occur throughout your body.

With facial bradykinesia, you may blink less than average and have difficulty parting your lips to eat or speak. Your face may also not make the expression you are feeling. If you’re happy, your mouth may not curl upward in a smile. When you are sad, your brow may not furrow to show it.

Some people notice bradykinesia in their limbs. They may walk at a slower, shuffling pace, or stop walking without intending to. Bradykinesia typically worsens with time.

Instead of completing a movement in one fluid motion, people with bradykinesia complete their intended movement with smaller or slower, prolonged bursts. People typically reach over their desks and grab a pencil. People with bradykinesia may reach very slowly or pause several times while reaching.

Bradykinesia happens when there is a delay in activating your muscles to move.

People with bradykinesia have 50-60% less dopamine in their brains. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is important for triggering movement. Low dopamine levels slow the activity in the basal ganglia, the part of your brain that helps initiate movement.

Slowed activity in the basal ganglia makes it harder to move muscles quickly and fluently. People with bradykinesia cannot generate enough force to complete their desired task, which causes a pause in movement. Bradykinesia becomes more pronounced with some movements, like walking or writing. Completing two tasks at once may take longer than completing each task individually.

Your healthcare provider may diagnose your bradykinesia in their office using a clinical scale. The MDS Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III and Modified Bradykinesia Rating Scale (MBRS) are two assessment tests used. During these assessments, you may be asked to move in certain ways while your movements are evaluated for atypical findings.

Some healthcare providers may use the bradykinesia-akinesia incoordination (BRAIN) test. During this test, you may be asked to tap two alternating keys on a keyboard as fast as possible in 30 seconds. The test will count how many times you tap the keys. This neurological exam may be more reliable than the clinical scales because it is objective.

The rate, speed, and number of halted movements are observed to determine whether you may have bradykinesia. Your healthcare provider is looking for slowed movements or pauses in your movement.

Your healthcare provider may ask about your movement and how it impacts your daily tasks, like eating, dressing, or cooking. If you notice any changes in your movement, mention them during your appointment. Your symptoms are sometimes not observable during an office visit; this information will help provide an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment for bradykinesia focuses on minimizing symptoms. Bradykinesia is often a symptom of another chronic condition.

Prescription Medications

Levodopa is a prescription medication that increases dopamine levels, which may impact activity in the area of the brain responsible for movement. It has been shown to increase spontaneous movement in the face and limbs. As bradykinesia worsens, levodopa may become less effective.

Exercise

Physical activity may help reduce bradykinesia. Gait or balance training can improve your walking and strength, while treadmill training may improve walking speed and stride length.

Tai chi may improve limb strength, balance, and awareness of movements in people with Parkinson’s disease. Yoga may improve gait and strength, which may help people with bradykinesia focus on their movements and prevent falls.

Many people develop bradykinesia slowly over time. It is typically a symptom of a larger condition, some of which are genetic. Right now, there is no way to prevent bradykinesia if you develop Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or Lewy body dementia. 

Instead, you can monitor yourself for symptoms. If you notice any symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to be screened. You can start managing your bradykinesia immediately to slow the progression.

Management may include exercise to strengthen muscles or medication to increase dopamine levels. Your healthcare provider will work with you to create a treatment plan that aligns with your lifestyle.

Bradykinesia is usually a symptom of a progressive health condition. It doesn’t typically appear on its own without an underlying cause. The most common conditions with bradykinesia are:

• Parkinson’s disease: This progressive, neurological disease causes rigidity, tremors, postural instability, and bradykinesia. The hallmark symptoms are a shuffling gait and lack of facial expression.
• Huntington’s disease: This inherited neurological, psychiatric disease typically begins without symptoms. People may experience changes in cognition, mood swings, postural instability, gait issues, and bradykinesia.
• Lewy body dementia: People with this type of dementia may have cognitive issues, visual hallucinations, problems sleeping, and movement changes. They may move slower and have stiff limbs.

It is important to note that bradykinesia is not a disease. It’s a symptom of another health condition. 

Bradykinesia can significantly affect a person’s quality of life as it progresses. Dressing, feeding, and bathing may become more difficult. Regular tasks may also take more time than they did before. 

An occupational therapist can work with you to find assistive devices and adaptive equipment to make these tasks easier. Instead of buttons for clothes, you can use Velcro. Some utensils can help with cooking if your movement is limited. Instead of battling your bradykinesia, you can learn to thrive alongside it.