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A standardized accelerometry method for characterizing tremor: Application and validation in an ageing population
Etienne Gauthier-Lafreniere1,2, Meshal Aljassar1, Vladimir V Rymar1
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Frontiers in Neuroinformatics
|August 22, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a user-friendly method for quantitative tremor assessment using wristwatch accelerometers and a standardized clinical exam. The novel approach offers reliable tremor characterization for clinical use, improving upon traditional qualitative scales.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neurology
- Clinical Measurement
Background:
- Current clinical tremor assessment relies on ordinal scales with limitations in reliability and precision.
- Quantitative tremor evaluation is established in research but lacks practical clinical application due to complex analysis.
- Existing methods struggle with measurement precision, range, and ceiling effects in qualitative tremor scales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated method for tremor evaluation combining a standardized clinical exam and wrist-watch accelerometers.
- To create a user-friendly software framework for tremor data analysis, eliminating the need for advanced mathematical skills.
- To assess the utility of this novel method in patients with predominant postural and action tremor, including those with Essential Tremor (ET).
Main Methods:
- Integration of wristwatch accelerometry with a standardized clinical examination protocol.
- Development of a MATLAB application for automated tremor data analysis and graphical representation.
- Derivation of acceleration power spectrum measures in 25 patients and correlation with the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST).
Main Results:
- Reliable acceleration power spectrum generation across all patients, with stable tremor frequency.
- Significant correlation between accelerometry-derived power measures (total and peak) and CRST scores.
- Demonstrated effectiveness of the integrated method in characterizing tremor in postural and action tremor patients.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative tremor assessment using wristwatch accelerometry is clinically applicable when integrated with a standardized exam and user-friendly software.
- The validated method is effective for characterizing tremor in patients with postural and action tremor.
- This approach can be adopted for diverse etiologies and settings, particularly in ageing populations.
Keywords:
Essential TremorParkinsonaccelerometryclinical rating scalefocused ultrasound (MRgFUS)power spectrumsensorthalamotomy
