An ambulatory gait analysis method using body-attached gyroscopes to estimate spatio-temporal parameters of has been proposed and validated against a reference system for normal pathologic gait. Later, ten Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) implantation participated in measurements our device. They walked one three times on 20-m walkway. Patients did the test twice: once STN-DBS was ON 180 min after turning it OFF. A group age-matched...

Clinicians need a practical, objective test of postural control that is sensitive to mild neurological disease, shows experimental and clinical validity, has good test-retest reliability. We developed an instrumented sway (ISway) using body-worn accelerometer offer practical measure control. conducted two separate studies with groups subjects. Study I: sensitivity concurrent validity. Thirteen subjects early, untreated Parkinson's disease (PD) 12 age-matched (CTR) were tested in the...

Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a widely used clinical paradigm to evaluate balance mobility. Although TUG includes several complex subcomponents, namely: sit-to-stand, gait, 180 degree turn, turn-to-sit; the only outcome total time perform task. We have proposed an instrumented TUG, called iTUG, using portable inertial sensors improve in ways: automatic detection separation of detailed analysis each one them higher sensitivity than TUG. Twelve subjects early stages Parkinson's disease (PD) 12...

An ambulatory system for quantification of tremor and bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is presented. To record movements the upper extremities, a sensing units which included miniature gyroscopes, has been fixed to each forearms. algorithm detect quantify another have proposed validated. Two clinical studies performed. In first study, 10 PD control subjects participated 45-min protocol 17 typical daily activities. The detection showed an overall sensitivity 99.5%...

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test has been used to assess balance mobility in Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, it is not known if this sensitive subtle abnormalities present early stages of the disease, when gait problems are clinically evident but may be detected with instrumented analysis movement. We hypothesise that postural transitions arm swing during will most characteristics TUG for PD. In study, we (iTUG) using portable inertial sensors, extended walking distance from 3 m...

Objective . The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness Mini-BESTest compared Berg Balance Scale in evaluating balance people with PD varying severity. We evaluated (1) distribution patients scores look for ceiling effects, (2) concurrent validity severity disease, and (3) sensitivity/specificity separating or without postural response deficits. Subjects Ninety-seven were tested deficits using Berg, Mini-BESTest, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating (UPDRS) III Hoehn & Yahr...

A new ambulatory method of monitoring physical activities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is proposed based on a portable data-logger with three body-fixed inertial sensors. group ten PD treated subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) and normal control subjects followed protocol typical daily the whole period measurement was recorded by video. Walking periods were recognized using two sensors shanks lying detected sensor trunk. By calculating kinematics features trunk...

Abstract Background The Instrumented Stand and Walk (ISAW) test, which includes 30 seconds of stance, step initiation, gait, turning, results in many objective balance gait metrics from body-worn inertial sensors. However, it is not clear provide independent information about mobility. Objective It was hypothesized that represent several domains mobility all would be abnormal individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) or change levodopa therapy. Design This a cross-sectional study. Methods A...

Gait analysis methods to estimate spatiotemporal measures, based on two, three or four gyroscopes attached lower limbs have been discussed in the literature. The most common approach reduce number of sensing units is simplify underlying biomechanical gait model. In this study, we propose a novel method prediction movements thighs from shanks. Datasets previous studies were used. Data first study (ten healthy subjects and ten with Parkinson's disease) used develop calibrate system only two...

Changes in turning are one of the early motor deficiencies Parkinson's Disease (PD). We have proposed a system based on wearable, inertial sensors and novel automatic analysis algorithm that can assess 180 degrees turns. Twelve patients stages PD 14 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled this study. Inertial attached shanks sternum. Measurement protocol included walking straight pathway, returning back. Subjects measured 4 times, once every 6 months during an 18 period. At baseline, 9...

Movement asymmetry is one of the motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, being able to detect and measure movement symmetry important for monitoring patient's condition. The present paper introduces a novel symbol based index calculated from inertial sensor data. method explained, evaluated, compared six other measures. These measures were used determine both upper lower limbs during walking 11 early-to-mid-stage PD patients 15 control subjects. included in study...

Background and Purpose: It is well known that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have significant difficulty turning, such related to freezing episodes falls. However, it unclear how clinicians should evaluate turning. The purpose of this exploratory study was determine whether the common clinical assessment instruments reflect turning deficits in persons PD compared an instrumented measure. Methods: Forty-six participants (23 mild PD, 23 severe PD), 40 healthy controls were assessed using...

Background . It is widely believed that exercise improves mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it difficult to determine whether a specific type of the most effective. The purpose this study was which outcome measures were sensitive intervention and explore effects two different programs for improving patients PD. Methods Participants randomized into either Agility Boot Camp (ABC) or treadmill training; 4x/week 4 weeks. Outcome grouped by International Classification...

Two groups of 10 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and age-matched normal subjects performing life activities were recorded using a portable recorder 3D gyroscopes. PD had sub-thalamic stimulation implantation for 20/spl plusmn/3 months. The performed the test twice: with without stimulation. Bradykinesia tremor hands in was quantified strong correlation between this objective method unified rating scale (UPDRS) clinical score found.

The aim of this study was to propose a methodology allowing detailed characterization body sit-to-stand/stand-to-sit postural transition. Parameters characterizing the kinematics trunk movement during sit-to-stand (Si-St) transition were calculated using one initial sensor system fixed on and data logger. Dynamic complexity these transitions estimated by fractal dimension acceleration-angular velocity plot. We concluded that method provides simple accurate tool for monitoring frail elderly...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative in general population. Cardinal symptoms of are resting tremor, rigidity, akinesia and bradykinesia advanced stages, gait impairments, postural instability complications chronic treatment with levodopa such as motor dysfunctions dyskinesia. Multitude complexity these their variability over time have made assessment them a difficult task. Moreover, following fluctuations performance (ON/OFF fluctuations) PD patients...