Authors:
Laurence P. Ketteringham
1
;
Simon A. Neild
1
;
Richard A. Hyde
1
;
Rosemary J. S. Jones
2
and
Angela M. Davies Smith
2
Affiliations:
1
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
;
2
Bristol & Avon Multiple Sclerosis (BrAMS) Centre and Frenchay Hospital, United Kingdom
Keyword(s):
Measurement, Tremor, Multiple sclerosis, MS, Inertial measurement unit, IMU.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Biomedical Engineering
;
Biomedical Instrumentation
;
Biomedical Instruments and Devices
;
Biomedical Sensors
;
Computer-Aided Detection and Diagnosis
;
Imaging and Visualization Devices
Abstract:
This paper describes research to create a sensor based measurement system in order to provide detailed and accurate data on the movement disorder known as intention tremor, a condition that affects a significant proportion of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Intention tremor is a complex movement disorder that worsens during goal directed movements and can therefore be extremely disabling. Multiple inertial measurement unit devices were used to measure the upper limb of subjects with multiple sclerosis and intention tremor during standard clinical finger-to-nose tests and reach-retrieve tasks, which were designed to mimic activities of daily living. Analyses allowed information on tremor characteristics to be ascertained during these movements. The equipment and software provide a useful tool for clinical assessment of tremor, displaying a variety of relevant information at differing levels of detail, obtainable at several points over the torso, shoulder, upper arm, lower arm and
hand. Examples of this data are discussed. The system allows tremor assessment in more detail than is possible with clinical tests that rely on visual assessments, and provides a tool that can accurately assess the benefits of future tremor reduction devices, or other interventions.
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