A novel computer-based technique for the assessment of tremor in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease and the diagnosis of its idiopathic form remains challenging. The diagnosis of idiopathic form is based on clinical features which can have poor sensitivity with about 25% of patients diagnosed as having the disease actually having...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Age and ageing 2007-07, Vol.36 (4), p.395-399
Main Authors: Aly, N. M., Playfer, J. R., Smith, S. L., Halliday, D. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Assessment
Computer based
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation
Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - methods
Diagnostic equipment (Medical)
Diagnostic tests
elderly
Elderly people
Female
Humans
Idiopathic
Male
Medical diagnosis
Medical laboratory technology
Medical technology
Motor Activity - physiology
Older people
Parkinson disease
Parkinson Disease - complications
Parkinson Disease - diagnosis
Parkinson Disease - physiopathology
Parkinson's disease
Parkinsons disease
Prognosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
sequential task
Symptoms
tremor
Tremor - diagnosis
Tremor - etiology
Tremor - physiopathology
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Summary:Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease and the diagnosis of its idiopathic form remains challenging. The diagnosis of idiopathic form is based on clinical features which can have poor sensitivity with about 25% of patients diagnosed as having the disease actually having other conditions. In this study we assess the suitability and clinical value of a low cost computer-based system as an aid to diagnosis of PD, in particular the presence of tremor. All participants (12 patients and 10 controls) performed a shape-tracing task using a graphic tablet attached to a laptop. To assess the presence of tremors in the collected data, a statistical spectral analysis of the moment-to-moment fluctuations in the position signal of the output from the digitising tablet was performed. This allowed the comparison of power spectrums obtained from the control and patient responses respectively. A peak in log power between the 5 Hz & 6 Hz can clearly be identified in the patient's spectrum and is indicative of Parkinson's related tremor and no similar peak could be seen in the control's spectrum, suggesting this type of sequential task and automated data analysis may be useful in the diagnosis of tremor.
ISSN:0002-0729
1468-2834
DOI:10.1093/ageing/afm061