ABSTRACT
Wearable global position system (GPS) technology can help those working with older populations and people living with movement disorders monitor and maintain their mobility level. Health research using GPS often employs inconsistent recording lengths due to the lack of a standard minimum GPS recording length for a clinical context. Our work aimed to recommend a GPS recording length for an older clinical population. Over 14 days, 70 older adults with Parkinson's disease wore the wireless inertial motion unit with GPS (WIMU-GPS) during waking hours to capture daily "time outside", "trip count", "hotspots count" and "area size travelled". The longest recording length accounting for weekend and weekdays was ≥7 days of ≥800 daily minutes of data (14 participants with 156, 483.9 min recorded). We compared the error rate generated when using data based on recording lengths shorter than this sample. The smallest percentage errors were observed across all outcomes, except "hotspots count", with daily recordings ≥500 min (8.3 h). Eight recording days will capture mobility variability throughout days of the week. This study adds empirical evidence to the sensor literature on the required minimum duration of GPS recording.
Subject(s)
Parkinson Disease , Wearable Electronic Devices , Aged , Geographic Information Systems , Humans , Parkinson Disease/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Joints kinematics assessment based on inertial measurement systems, which include attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), are quickly gaining in popularity for research and clinical applications. The variety of the tasks and contexts they are used in require a deep understanding of the AHRS accuracy for optimal data interpretation. However, published accuracy studies on AHRS are mostly limited to a single task measured on a limited number of segments and participants. This study assessed AHRS sensors kinematics accuracy at multiple segments and joints through a variety of tasks not only to characterize the system's accuracy in these specific conditions, but also to extrapolate the accuracy results to a broader range of conditions using the characteristics of the movements (i.e. velocity and type of motion). Twenty asymptomatic adults ([Formula: see text] = 49.9) performed multiple 5 m timed up and go. Participants' head, upper trunk, pelvis, thigh, shank and foot were simultaneously tracked using AHRS and an optical motion capture system (gold standard). Each trial was segmented into basic tasks (sit-to-stand, walk, turn). RESULTS: At segment level, results revealed a mean root-mean-squared-difference [Formula: see text] varying between 1.1° and 5.5° according to the segment tracked and the task performed, with a good to excellent agreement between the systems. Relative sensor kinematics accuracy (i.e. joint) varied between 1.6° and 13.6° over the same tasks. On a global scheme, analysis of the effect of velocity on sensor kinematics accuracy showed that AHRS are better adapted to motions performed between 50°/s and 75°/s (roughly thigh and shank while walking). CONCLUSION: Results confirmed that pairing of modules to obtain joint kinematics affects the accuracy compared to segment kinematics. Overall, AHRS are a suitable solution for clinical evaluation of biomechanics under the multi-segment tasks performed although the variation in accuracy should be taken into consideration when judging the clinical meaningfulness of the observed changes.
Subject(s)
Accelerometry/instrumentation , Actigraphy/instrumentation , Joints/physiology , Models, Biological , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Acceleration , Accelerometry/methods , Actigraphy/methods , Aged , Algorithms , Computer Simulation , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Wearable sensors have the potential to provide clinicians with access to motor performance of people with movement disorder as they undergo intervention. However, sensor data often have to be manually classified and segmented before they can be processed into clinical metrics. This process can be time consuming. We recently proposed detection and segmentation algorithms based on peak detection using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to automatically identify and isolate common activities during daily living such as standing up, walking, turning, and sitting down. These algorithms were developed using a homogenous population of healthy older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the transferability of these algorithms in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A modified Timed Up And Go task was used since it is comprised of these activities, all performed in a continuous fashion. Twelve older adults diagnosed with early PD (Hoehn & Yahr ≤ 2) were recruited for the study and performed three trials of a 10 and 5-m TUG during OFF state. They were outfitted with 17 IMUs covering each body segment. Raw data from IMUs were detrended, normalized and filtered to reveal kinematics peaks that corresponded to different activities. Segmentation was accomplished by identifying the first minimum or maximum to the right and the left of these peaks. Segmentation times were compared to results from two examiners who visually segmented the activities. Specificity and sensitivity were used to evaluate the accuracy of the detection algorithms. RESULTS: Using the same IMUs and algorithms developed in the previous study, we were able to detect these activities with 97.6% sensitivity and 92.7% specificity (n = 432) in PD population. However, with modifications to the IMUs selection, we were able to detect these activities with 100% accuracy. Similarly, applying the same segmentation to PD population, we were able to isolate these activities within ~500 ms of the visual segmentation. Re-optimizing the filtering frequencies, we were able to reduce this difference to ~400 ms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the agility and transferability of using a system of IMUs to accurately detect and segment activities in daily living in people with movement disorders.
Subject(s)
Accelerometry/instrumentation , Activities of Daily Living , Algorithms , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Accelerometry/methods , Adult , Aged , Biomechanical Phenomena , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and Specificity , WalkingABSTRACT
This paper presents a novel model of tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD) based on extensive literature review as well as novel results stemming from functional stereotactic neurosurgery for the alleviation of tremor in PD. Specifically, evidence that suggests the basal ganglia induces PD tremor via excessive inhibitory output to the thalamus and altered firing patterns which in turn generate rhythmic bursting activity of thalamic cells is presented. Then, evidence that the thalamus generates PD tremor by facilitating the generation and consolidation of rhythmic bursting activity of neurons within its nuclei is also offered. Finally, evidence that the cerebellum may modulate characteristics of PD tremor by treating it as if it was a voluntary motor behavior is presented. Accordingly, the current paper proposes that PD tremor is induced by abnormal basal ganglia activity; it is generated by the thalamus, and modulated or reinforced by the cerebellum.
Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Models, Neurological , Neurons/physiology , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Action Potentials , Animals , Humans , Neural Pathways/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Clinical mobility assessment is traditionally performed in laboratories using complex and expensive equipment. The low accessibility to such equipment, combined with the emerging trend to assess mobility in a free-living environment, creates a need for body-worn sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units-IMUs) that are capable of measuring the complexity in motor performance using meaningful measurements, such as joint orientation. However, accuracy of joint orientation estimates using IMUs may be affected by environment, the joint tracked, type of motion performed and velocity. This study investigates a quality control (QC) process to assess the quality of orientation data based on features extracted from the raw inertial sensors' signals. Joint orientation (trunk, hip, knee, ankle) of twenty participants was acquired by an optical motion capture system and IMUs during a variety of tasks (sit, sit-to-stand transition, walking, turning) performed under varying conditions (speed, environment). An artificial neural network was used to classify good and bad sequences of joint orientation with a sensitivity and a specificity above 83%. This study confirms the possibility to perform QC on IMU joint orientation data based on raw signal features. This innovative QC approach may be of particular interest in a big data context, such as for remote-monitoring of patients' mobility.
Subject(s)
Joints/physiology , Monitoring, Ambulatory/instrumentation , Monitoring, Ambulatory/standards , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Algorithms , Humans , Middle Aged , Neural Networks, Computer , Quality Control , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recently, much attention has been given to the use of inertial sensors for remote monitoring of individuals with limited mobility. However, the focus has been mostly on the detection of symptoms, not specific activities. The objective of the present study was to develop an automated recognition and segmentation algorithm based on inertial sensor data to identify common gross motor patterns during activity of daily living. METHOD: A modified Time-Up-And-Go (TUG) task was used since it is comprised of four common daily living activities; Standing, Walking, Turning, and Sitting, all performed in a continuous fashion resulting in six different segments during the task. Sixteen healthy older adults performed two trials of a 5 and 10 meter TUG task. They were outfitted with 17 inertial motion sensors covering each body segment. Data from the 10 meter TUG were used to identify pertinent sensors on the trunk, head, hip, knee, and thigh that provided suitable data for detecting and segmenting activities associated with the TUG. Raw data from sensors were detrended to remove sensor drift, normalized, and band pass filtered with optimal frequencies to reveal kinematic peaks that corresponded to different activities. Segmentation was accomplished by identifying the time stamps of the first minimum or maximum to the right and the left of these peaks. Segmentation time stamps were compared to results from two examiners visually segmenting the activities of the TUG. RESULTS: We were able to detect these activities in a TUG with 100% sensitivity and specificity (n = 192) during the 10 meter TUG. The rate of success was subsequently confirmed in the 5 meter TUG (n = 192) without altering the parameters of the algorithm. When applying the segmentation algorithms to the 10 meter TUG, we were able to parse 100% of the transition points (n = 224) between different segments that were as reliable and less variable than visual segmentation performed by two independent examiners. CONCLUSIONS: The present study lays the foundation for the development of a comprehensive algorithm to detect and segment naturalistic activities using inertial sensors, in hope of evaluating automatically motor performance within the detected tasks.
Subject(s)
Accelerometry/instrumentation , Algorithms , Motor Activity/physiology , Activities of Daily Living , Adult , Aged , Biomechanical Phenomena , Female , Humans , Male , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a recognized therapy for alleviating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about its impact on mobility, an important component of quality of life (QoL). To address this issue, we assessed the impact of STN DBS on life-space mobility and QoL. METHODS: Twenty surgical patients with PD were assessed using mobility and QoL scales and the United Parkinson's disease rating scale, and results were compared before surgery and 6 to 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: STN DBS significantly improved motor dysfunction but had a limited impact on measures of life-space mobility and QoL. INTERPRETATION: STN DBS improves motor function and some components of QoL. However, motor recovery does not translate into improved life-space in the intermediate term. In addition to a focus on motor function, multidisciplinary attention to increasing mobility may further improve QoL in the intermediate and long-term.
Subject(s)
Deep Brain Stimulation , Motor Activity/physiology , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Residence Characteristics , Subthalamic Nucleus/surgery , Adult , Aged , Deep Brain Stimulation/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Quality of Life , Subthalamic Nucleus/physiology , TimeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dyskinesia, a major complication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), can require prolonged monitoring and complex medical management. DISCUSSION: The current paper proposes a new way to view the management of dyskinesia in an integrated fashion. We suggest that dyskinesia be considered as a factor in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) equation where the signal is the voluntary movement and the noise is PD symptomatology, including dyskinesia. The goal of clinicians should be to ensure a high SNR in order to maintain or enhance the motor repertoire of patients. To understand why such an approach would be beneficial, we first review mechanisms of dyskinesia, as well as their impact on the quality of life of patients and on the health-care system. Theoretical and practical bases for the SNR approach are then discussed. SUMMARY: Clinicians should not only consider the level of motor symptomatology when assessing the efficacy of their treatment strategy, but also breadth of the motor repertoire available to patients.
Subject(s)
Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/physiopathology , Motor Skills/physiology , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Recovery of Function/physiology , Signal-To-Noise Ratio , Animals , Disease Management , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/diagnosis , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/drug therapy , Humans , Levodopa/adverse effects , Motor Skills/drug effects , Parkinson Disease/diagnosis , Parkinson Disease/drug therapyABSTRACT
Recent evidence tends to suggest that ocular tremor can be present in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This ocular tremor may have frequency characteristics similar to those of PD limb tremor. This fact was recently challenged in an article demonstrating that ocular tremor could simply be the consequence of vestibulo-ocular reflex activity induced by head movement. Although this hypothesis can be valid in some circumstances, we previously presented evidence that, in fact, these ocular may exist. Here, we address the shortcomings of previous studies describing the possible origins of these ocular tremors and propose solutions to circumvent those shortcomings.
Subject(s)
Ocular Motility Disorders/etiology , Parkinson Disease/complications , Tremor/etiology , HumansABSTRACT
Involuntary movements such as levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD) and chorea in Huntington's disease (HD) are the consequence of two distinct basal ganglia dysfunctions. Yet, their clinical manifestations seem to resemble each other. We seek to determine how to detect PD dyskinesia and HD chorea during quiet stance using healthy control subjects' postural sway as a base measure and identify means to distinguish mathematically HD chorea from PD dyskinesia. Movements were recorded using a magnetic tracker system with fifteen sensors placed strategically to capture whole-body displacement. Choreic and dyskinetic patients as well as healthy controls were asked to stand with arms stretched horizontally in front of them for 60 s. We examined amplitude, frequency dispersion, proportional energy, sample entropy, kurtosis, skewness, amplitude fluctuation, maximum coherency between 44 pairs of body segments. The choreic and dyskinetic movements revealed similar patterns of sample entropy, amplitude fluctuation, and coherencies between body segments. However, skewness and kurtosis for velocity of movements were found to be higher in HD chorea than in PD dyskinesia, reflecting rapid movements in HD patients. There was also a tendency for the frequency composition of PD dyskinesia to be more concentrated in the 1.0-1.5 Hz range. Our results show that despite their similarities in apparent randomness and lack of coordination, dyskinesia associated with treatment of PD and chorea in HD each have their own distinctive characteristics which may be related to their specific pathophysiology.
Subject(s)
Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/physiopathology , Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology , Huntington Disease/physiopathology , Movement/physiology , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Antiparkinson Agents/adverse effects , Case-Control Studies , Electromyography , Entropy , Female , Forearm/innervation , Forearm/physiopathology , Functional Laterality , Human Body , Humans , Levodopa/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Parkinson Disease/drug therapyABSTRACT
The objectives of this study are (1) to assess the relationship between tremor displacement of different segments of the upper limb, (2) to assess whether an attempt to voluntarily reduce tremor amplitude affects this relationship. Twenty-five young healthy participants were tested. Tremor of the finger, hand, arm and shoulder was assessed using laser displacement sensors while the upper limb was in a postural position. Results show strong correlations (r > 0.90), high coherence (>0.9) and in-phase movement between tremor displacement oscillations of different segments. The majority of finger tremor amplitude can be predicted by angular movement generated at the shoulder joint (r(2) > 0.86). Participants were able to voluntarily reduce tremor amplitude, but no change in the relationship between segments was observed. Tremor of all segments of the upper limb was mechanically driven by the angular movement generated at the shoulder joint. This study provides evidence that there is no compensatory organization of physiological tremor. This lays the groundwork to evaluate whether pathological tremors also lack this organization.
Subject(s)
Tremor/physiopathology , Upper Extremity/physiopathology , Acceleration , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Biomechanical Phenomena , Electromyography , Feedback, Sensory , Female , Humans , Lasers , Linear Models , Male , Oscillometry , Posture , Psychomotor Performance , Quebec , Time Factors , Transducers , Tremor/psychology , Upper Extremity/innervation , Volition , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The ability to differentiate similar choreic involuntary movements could lay the groundwork for the development of a minimally-invasive screening tool for their etiology and provide in-depth understandings of pathophysiology. As a first step, we investigate kinematic differences between Huntington's disease (HD) chorea and Parkinson's disease (PD) choreic levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), which have distinct pathological causes yet share a great kinematic resemblance. METHODS: Twenty subjects with HD and ten subjects with PD stood with both upper limbs in front of them for approximately 60 seconds. The three-dimensional velocity time-series of involuntary movements of both hands were segmented into one-dimensional sub-movements abutted by velocity zero-crossings. A combination of unsupervised and supervised machine learning algorithms was employed to automatically select data features extracted from sub-movements and distinguish the two types of involuntary choreic movements. RESULTS: The trained model was able to accurately classify chorea vs. LID with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve of 99.5%. A set of important features contributing to the construction of the classification model were identified and investigated. CONCLUSION: The trained model may serve as a tool for the automatic identification of different types of involuntary choreic movements, enabling continuous monitoring and personalized treatment for patients in various clinical settings. SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide insights into kinematic characteristics of HD chorea and PD LID, which is the first step towards an improved general understanding of involuntary choreic movements.
Subject(s)
Chorea , Huntington Disease , Parkinson Disease , Humans , Chorea/diagnosis , Chorea/chemically induced , Biomechanical Phenomena , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Huntington Disease/diagnosisABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine the importance of every frequency component on total physiological tremor (PT) amplitude. We suspect that since high frequencies of PT are of lower amplitude in displacement, removing them will have little to no impact on PT amplitude. PT of the index finger was measured with a laser displacement sensor while the finger was held horizontally. Amplitude of tremor was calculated in displacement, velocity and acceleration. PT amplitude was also calculated within five frequency bands. Although displacement amplitude of oscillations within the 7.5-12.5 and 16.5-30 Hz frequency bands represent 24 and 10% of total PT oscillation amplitude, respectively, their removal reduced PT amplitude by less than 3%. Conversely, the removal of the oscillations within 1-3.5 Hz band from the PT signal reduced the amplitude of the original PT signal by 56% in displacement. This suggests that when a task to be studied involves the measurement of a reduction in tremor, focus should be on the oscillations in the 1-3.5 Hz band.
Subject(s)
Fingers/physiopathology , Tremor/physiopathology , Biomechanical Phenomena , Female , Humans , Male , Periodicity , Young AdultABSTRACT
Introduction: Parkinson's disease hinders the ability of a person to perform daily activities. However, the varying impact of specific symptoms and their interactions on a person's motor repertoire is not understood. The current study investigates the possibility to predict global motor disabilities based on the patient symptomatology and medication. Methods: A cohort of 115 patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (mean age = 67.0 ± 8.7 years old) participated in the study. Participants performed different tasks, including the Timed-Up & Go, eating soup and the Purdue Pegboard test. Performance on these tasks was judged using timing, number of errors committed, and count achieved. K-means method was used to cluster the overall performance and create different motor performance groups. Symptomatology was objectively assessed for each participant from a combination of wearable inertial sensors (bradykinesia, tremor, dyskinesia) and clinical assessment (rigidity, postural instability). A multinomial regression model was derived to predict the performance cluster membership based on the patients' symptomatology, socio-demographics information and medication. Results: Clustering exposed four distinct performance groups: normal behavior, slightly affected in fine motor tasks, affected only in TUG, and affected in all areas. The statistical model revealed that low to moderate level of dyskinesia increased the likelihood of being in the normal group. A rise in postural instability and rest tremor increase the chance to be affected in TUG. Finally, LEDD did not help distinguishing between groups, but the presence of Amantadine as part of the medication regimen appears to decrease the likelihood of being part of the groups affected in TUG. Conclusion: The approach allowed to demonstrate the potential of using clinical symptoms to predict the impact of Parkinson's disease on a person's mobility performance.
ABSTRACT
Background: The impact of slight-to-moderate levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) on the level of participation in active life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has never been objectively determined. Methods: Levels of LID, tremor and bradykinesia were measured during best-ON state in 121 patients diagnosed with PD and having peak-dose LID using inertial sensors positioned on each body limb. Rigidity and postural instability were assessed using clinical evaluations. Cognition and depression were assessed using the MMSE and the GDS-15. Participation in active life was assessed in patients and in 69 healthy controls using the Activity Card Sort (ACS), which measures levels of activity engagement and activities affected by the symptomatology. Outcome measures were compared between patients and controls using ANCOVA, controlling for age or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests. Spearman correlations and multivariate analyses were then performed between symptomatology and ACS scores. Results: Patients had significantly lower activity engagement than controls and had significantly affected activities. LID was neither associated with activity engagement nor affected activities. Higher levels of tremor, postural instability, cognitive decline and depression were associated with lower activity engagement and higher affected activities. Multivariate analyses revealed that only tremor, postural instability and depression accounted significantly in the variances of these variables. Discussion: Slight-to-moderate LID had little impact compared to other symptoms on the level of participation in active life, suggesting that other symptoms should remain the treatment priority to maintain the level of participation of patients in an active lifestyle.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced , Parkinson Disease , Social Participation , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dopamine Agents/adverse effects , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/etiology , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/physiopathology , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/psychology , Female , Humans , Levodopa/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Parkinson Disease/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Real-life community mobility (CM) measures for older adults, especially those with Parkinson's disease (PD), are important tools when helping individuals maintain optimal function and quality of life. This is one of the first studies to compare an objective global positioning system (GPS) sensor and subjective self-report CM measures in an older clinical population. METHODS: Over 14 days, 54 people in Ontario, Canada with early to mid-stage PD (mean age = 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 47 men; 46 retired) wore a wireless inertial measurement unit with GPS (WIMU-GPS), and completed the Life Space Assessment and mobility diaries. We assessed the convergent validity, reliability and agreement on mobility outcomes using Spearman's correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Convergent validity was attained by the WIMU-GPS for trip frequency (rs = .69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-0.81) and duration outside (rs = .43, 95% CI = 0.18-0.62), but not for life space size (rs = .39, 95% CI = 0.14-0.60). The Life Space Assessment exhibited floor and ceiling effects. Moderate agreements were observed between WIMU-GPS and diary for trip frequency and duration (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51-0.82; 0.67, 95% CI = 0.42-0.82, respectively). Disagreement was more common among nonretired individuals. CONCLUSIONS: WIMU-GPS could replace diaries for trip frequency and duration assessments in older adults with PD. Both assessments are best used for retired persons. However, the Life Space Assessment may not reflect actual mobility.
Subject(s)
Geographic Information Systems , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Self Report , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mobility Limitation , Ontario , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine whether it was possible to voluntarily modulate physiological tremor (PT), i.e., reduce its amplitude. We recorded the postural index finger tremor of 30 healthy participants with a laser in four conditions: (A) eyes closed, without any attempt to modulate PT amplitude, (B) no visual feedback, trying to reduce PT amplitude, (C) visual feedback, trying to reduce PT amplitude. For conditions B and C, subjects were asked to avoid using muscle contraction as a means to stabilize the finger. Finally, (D) subjects were asked to reduce PT amplitude using voluntary muscle contraction to stabilize the finger. We used electromyography to monitor the extensor digitorum communis and flexor digitorum superficialis. Total amplitude of PT did not change significantly between conditions A and B. In condition C, a significant decrease of PT amplitude was observed. A significant increase in tremor amplitude was observed in D compared with other conditions, confirming that co-contraction was not used to modulate the amplitude of PT in other conditions. Subsequently, we formed three subgroups based on their ability to modulate PT: Most Improved (n = 7), Least Improved (n = 16) and Not Improved (n = 7). Although oscillations within the low frequency bands increased only in the Not Improved group, oscillations within the 8-12 and 16-30 Hz bands either remained stable or decreased for all participants, supporting a disassociation between mechanical-reflex and central components of PT. Our results show that it is possible to voluntarily modulate PT. Therefore, a cortical influence is being exerted on tremor.
Subject(s)
Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Psychomotor Performance , Tremor , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Electromyography , Fingers , Fourier Analysis , Humans , Muscle Contraction , Practice, PsychologicalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND.: Although home environment assessments are commonly performed by occupational therapists working in home care, use of nonstandardized measures created in-house or lack of measure use can cast a shadow over the quality of these assessments for people with disabilities. To ensure quality of home environment assessments, occupational therapists need standardized measures with demonstrated psychometric properties. PURPOSE.: This study provides a critical appraisal of objective accessibility measures of the home environment. METHOD.: A systematic review was undertaken for which three databases-CINAHL, PubMed, and Embase-were searched to identify accessibility measures of the home environment and evaluate their psychometric properties. Two authors independently assessed the quality of selected studies using the critical appraisal form for psychometric articles. FINDINGS.: Ten studies discussing seven accessibility measures were identified and selected for this review. No measures showed strong evidence of both good reliability and validity. Only one study addressed the responsiveness of a measure of accessibility. IMPLICATIONS.: As occupational therapists are specialists of the person-environment relationship, the lack of evidence of the psychometric properties of objective accessibility measures of the home environment harms evidence-based occupational therapy practice. This review identified the most promising assessment tools, but further research is needed.
Subject(s)
Disability Evaluation , Home Care Services , Occupational Therapy , Psychometrics , Humans , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In Parkinson's disease (PD), dyskinesia is considered a major side effect of dopamine replacement therapy. Nevertheless, many patients with dyskinesia function adequately. OBJECTIVE: To study objectively dyskinesia phenomenology in order to understand why or how patients with dyskinesia are still able to perform motor tasks. METHODS: Patients with and without dyskinesia, as well as healthy older adults, performed a geostationary task during which they attempted to stabilize a glass of water at eye level. Dyskinesia amplitude displayed by each body segment was extracted from accelerometers, and its distribution among the segments, analyzed. RESULTS: Patients experiencing dyskinesia initially distributed most of their dyskinesia away from the segments directly involved in the task. With time, this distribution shifts back towards the hand. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients developed a strategy of involuntary movement's redistribution to attenuate their functional impact on voluntary movements. However, this strategy can only be maintained for a certain period before "re-emerging" dyskinesia occurs.
Subject(s)
Antiparkinson Agents/adverse effects , Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced/physiopathology , Motor Activity , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Psychomotor Performance , Accelerometry , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Activity/drug effects , Psychomotor Performance/drug effectsABSTRACT
Introduction: The impact of levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) on the daily lives of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) remains to be determined. Furthermore, evidence suggests that cardinal motor symptoms of PD may coexist with LID, but their impact on activities of daily living (ADL) relative to LID is not known. This cross-sectional study aimed at determining the effect of LID and cardinal motor symptoms of PD on ADL in patients who were experiencing peak-dose choreic-type LID. Method: One hundred and twenty-one patients diagnosed with PD known to experience choreic-type LID were recruited for the study. Patients were asked to perform a set of ADL. Levels of LID, tremor, bradykinesia, and freezing of gait (FoG) were measured using 17 inertial sensors design to capture full body movements, while rigidity, and postural instability were assessed using clinical evaluations. Cognition was also assessed using the mini-mental state examination. Success criteria were set for each ADL using the time needed to perform the task and errors measured in 69 age-gender-matched healthy controls. Binary logistic regressions were used to identify symptoms influencing success or failure for each activity. Receiver operating characteristic curves were computed on each significant symptom, and Youden indexes were calculated to determine the critical level of symptomatology at which the performance significantly changed. Results: Results show that 97.7% of patients who presented with LID during the experiment also presented with at least one cardinal motor symptom. On average, patients took more time and did more errors during ADL. Multivariate analyses revealed that for the great majority of ADL, LID were not associated with worsening of performance; however, postural instability, tremor, rigidity, and cognitive decline significantly decreased the odds of success. Conclusions: Residual symptoms of PD, such as tremor, rigidity, and postural instability still present at peak-dose were more problematic than LID in the performance of ADL for patients experiencing slight-to-moderate LID. We also found that cognitive decline was associated with decreased performance in certain tasks. Therefore, a strategy using lower doses of medication to manage LID may be counterproductive since it would not address most of these symptoms already present in patients.