Micrographia, an abnormal reduction in writing size, is a specific behavioral deficit associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). In recent years, the availability of graphic tablets has made it possible to study micrographia in unprecedented detail. Consequently, a growing number of studies show that PD patients also exhibit impaired handwriting kinematics. Is micrographia still the most characteristic feature of PD-related handwriting deficits? To answer this question, we identified studies that investigated handwriting in PD, either with conventional pencil-and-paper measures or with graphic tablets, and we reported their findings on key spatiotemporal and kinematic variables. We found that kinematic variables (velocity, fluency) differentiate better between control participants and PD patients, and between off- and on-treatment PD patients, than the traditional measure of static writing size. Although reduced writing size is an important feature of PD handwriting, the deficit is not restricted to micrographia stricto sensu. Therefore, we propose the term PD dysgraphia, which encompasses all deficits characteristic of Parkinsonian handwriting. We conclude that the computerized analysis of handwriting movements is a simple and useful tool that can contribute to both diagnosis and follow-up of PD.

This preliminary study aimed to adapt the Dysarthria Impact Profile (DIP) in French and to confirm its relevance for the assessment of the psychosocial impact of dysarthria in Parkinson's disease (PD). The DIP scale was administered to 10 people with PD and 10 age-matched control subjects. The DIP psychometric properties were calculated (discriminant validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity), notably by using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) for interscale comparisons. The French version of the DIP discriminated people with PD from control subjects (χ 2 test, P < 0.05). Good internal consistency was observed in both populations (Cronbach's α = 0.93 for PD people and α = 0.76 for control subjects). The DIP was highly correlated with the VHI (Spearman's ρ = −0.70, P < 0.01), confirming the external validity of the scale. There was no direct relationship between PD speech and quality of life as assessed by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Our preliminary data suggest that the French version of the DIP has the potential to make a useful contribution for the assessment and outcome management in acquired dysarthria for both clinicians and researchers.