EFFECT OF Β-Adrenergic BLOCKADE ON FINGER TREMOR AND ACHILLES REFLEX TIME IN ANXIOUS AND THYROTOXIC PATIENTS

Abstract

The effect of β-adrenergic blockade by intravenous dl-propranolol on pulse rate, tremor and Achilles reflex time has been compared with the effect of inactive d-propranolol and saline alone in anxious and thyrotoxic subjects. β-blockade significantly reduced pulse rate, decreased the amplitude of tremor, and prolonged reflex time in both groups.

The effect of theophylline on thyrotoxic tremor.

“…The frequency of thyrotoxic tremor has been shown previously to be similar to physiological tremor (Lippold et al, 1959;Marsden et al, 1968). This study has confirmed this and also the increased tremor power in hyperthyroidism (Abila et al, 1985).…”

“…The tremor which occurs in patients with hyperthyroidism can now be accurately quantitated and has a similar frequency to physiological tremor but with a considerably greater tremor power (Graham, 1945;Lippold et al, 1959;Marsden et al, 1968;Abila et al, 1985) which is ameliorated by P-adrenoceptor blocking agents (McDevitt & Nelson, 1978). The mechanisms of production of thyrotoxic tremor is not clear.…”

Comparison of propranolol and practolol in the management of hyperthyroidism.

“…The following investigations were carried out: hyperthyroid diagnostic index (Crooks, Murray & Wayne, 1959), Taylor anxiety scale (Taylor, 1953), symptomatic enquiry for possible adverse reactions, tablet count, limited physical examination, ankle reflex tracing (Gilson, 1959) and finger tremor tracing (Marsden, Gimlette, McAllister, Owen & Miller, 1968 Significant difference from pre-treatment level * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. Significant difference from 4 week level t P < 0.05. tt P < 0.01, ttt P < 0.001.…”

Adrenergic beta‐receptor blockade in hyperthyroidism.

“…Turner and his colleagues in the same year also noted a significant reduction in the sinus tachycardia of these patients (Turner, Granville-Grossman & Smart, 1965) and the findings have been confirmed since (Howitt & Rowlands, 1966;Parsons & Jewitt, 1967;McDevitt, Shanks, Hadden, Montgomery & Weaver, 1968). Marsden and his colleagues also showed that the amplitude of the finger tremor in hyperthyroidism was reduced by the administration of propranolol (Marsden, Gimlette, McAllister, Owen & Miller, 1968).…”