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IMU-based workspace area as a promising complementary tool to assess upper limb function in Neuromuscular diseases: A
Alessandra Favata1,2, Jesica Expósito-Escudero3,4, Roger Gallart-Agut5
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (IRIS), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Inertial measurement unit (IMU) metrics can track upper limb function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) over time. These IMU measures show trends similar to clinical scales, aiding in monitoring disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) significantly impact upper limb function in pediatric patients.
- Standard clinical scales provide valuable but sometimes limited longitudinal data for these progressive neuromuscular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the longitudinal performance of inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based workspace metrics.
- To determine if IMU metrics can complement standard clinical scales for monitoring upper limb function in DMD and SMA.
- To evaluate the feasibility and associations of IMU analysis in pediatric neuromuscular conditions.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 18 children and adolescents (10 DMD, 8 SMA) underwent a one-year follow-up.
- Functional status was assessed using disease-specific clinical scales (Performance of Upper Limb [PUL] for DMD; Revised Upper Limb Module [RULM] for SMA).
- IMU-based kinematic analysis was performed concurrently, and longitudinal changes in IMU variables were compared with clinical score evolution.
Main Results:
- IMU-based metrics demonstrated longitudinal trends generally comparable to those from clinical scales.
- Most participants remained stable over the 12-month follow-up period.
- Minor individual discrepancies were noted, with only two participants showing significant divergence between IMU and clinical assessments.
Conclusions:
- IMU-based workspace analysis is a feasible method for assessing upper limb function in pediatric neuromuscular disorders.
- IMU metrics show meaningful associations with established functional assessments, supporting their use as a complementary monitoring tool.
- This technology holds potential for enhancing longitudinal monitoring in clinical trials and routine follow-up care for DMD and SMA patients.
Abstract:
AimTo evaluate the longitudinal performance of inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based workspace metrics as a complementary tool to standard clinical scales for monitoring upper limb function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).MethodsEighteen children and adolescents (10 DMD, 8 SMA) previously assessed at baseline underwent a one-year follow-up evaluation. Functional status was measured using disease-specific clinical scales (Performance of Upper Limb [PUL] for DMD; Revised Upper Limb Module [RULM] for SMA) combined with IMU-based kinematic analysis. Longitudinal changes in IMU-derived variables were compared with the evolution of clinical scores.ResultsOverall, IMU-based metrics showed longitudinal trends broadly comparable to those observed with clinical scales, with most participants remaining stable over 12 months. Minor individual discrepancies occurred in a few cases, and only two individuals exhibited a clear divergence between IMU-derived measures and clinical scale scores.InterpretationIMU-based workspace analysis is feasible and showed meaningful associations with established functional assessments in pediatric neuromuscular disorders. These findings support its further evaluation as a complementary tool for longitudinal monitoring and highlight its potential future role in both clinical trials and routine follow-up.
