Hypokinesis

Hypokinesis is a term used in medicine to describe a decrease in movement or in the range of motion of a body part, or a diminished level of voluntary activity. It is commonly used in cardiology and in neurology, and may describe reduced movement amplitude rather than complete paralysis. The term is derived from Greek hypo- meaning under or less, and kinesis meaning movement.

In cardiology, hypokinesis refers to reduced contraction of a myocardial wall segment during systole. It is usually identified on imaging studies such as echocardiography or cardiac MRI and is often associated with ischemic heart disease or prior myocardial infarction. It can be contrasted with akinesis (no motion) and dyskinesis (paradoxical outward movement). The presence and extent of hypokinesis can affect assessment of left ventricular function and prognosis, including ejection fraction.

In neurology and movement disorders, hypokinesia denotes decreased amplitude or speed of voluntary movements. It is a component of bradykinesia, which is commonly seen in Parkinson's disease and related disorders and reflects dysfunction in basal ganglia circuits and dopaminergic pathways. Hypokinesia may occur with rigidity and can be accompanied by fatigue and decreased spontaneity of movement. It is distinguished from akinesia (complete loss of movement) and from bradykinesia (slowness).

In psychiatric contexts, hypokinesia may describe reduced spontaneous motor activity, and can appear in conditions such as catatonia or severe depression, though it is not a standalone diagnosis. The term is used descriptively for examination and research purposes.

Diagnosis relies on clinical observation and imaging where relevant; management targets the underlying cause, such as revascularization for cardiac hypokinesis or dopaminergic therapy for hypokinetic syndromes.