Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What type of tremor is characteristic of Parkinson's disease?

1. Tremor at movement

2. Resting tremor

3. Intention tremor

4. Postural tremor

The correct answer is: Resting tremor

In Parkinson's disease, a resting tremor is the hallmark type of tremor observed. This tremor typically manifests when the affected individual is at rest and tends to diminish or disappear with voluntary movement. The resting tremor is often described as a "pill-rolling" motion, where the thumb and fingers move in a circular pattern, mimicking the action of rolling a small object between them. This characteristic differentiates it from other types of tremors, which occur under different circumstances. For instance, intention tremors happen during movement towards a target, such as reaching for an object, and they increase in intensity as the individual gets closer to the target. Postural tremors occur when maintaining a position against gravity, such as holding the arms outstretched. Tremors during movement, likewise, are associated with various conditions and are not a defining feature of Parkinson's. Therefore, the resting tremor is specifically significant for Parkinson's disease, making it the correct answer in identifying the type of tremor associated with this condition.