New algorithms combined with wearable sensors to track symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder that affects neurons in an area of ​​the brain that controls movement and causes tremors, difficulty walking, and other motor problems. As the disease progresses, people can have difficulty walking and speaking.

To assess the severity of symptoms, clinicians rely on a handful of tests, such as: B. those that measure the walking speed - or how fast people walk. These tests are usually done in the clinic every few months. Various factors can affect the results, including the experience of the person performing the assessment.

Usually walking speed is the sixth sign of life and is also related to life expectancy. For example, if you go faster, you can count on a longer lifespan.

In a new study, EPFL scientists determine how the walking speed is influenced in Parkinson's disease. 27 people with Parkinson's disease were included in the study. They were then fitted with a foot-worn sensor that recorded how fast they were walking.

During clinical evaluation, these patients were asked to perform two types of walking tests: in one case, people were asked to walk 20 meters in a straight line; In another test, they were asked to run in circles five times.

The walking tests were done when patients were taking a drug that reduced motor problems and repeated when people were absent from the drug. Based on the data from the sensors, the scientists calculated the average and the fastest walking speed for each individual.

Head of Studies Arash Atrsaei, Ph.D. The student in Aminian's group said, “Daily activities can give us more information and tell us what is happening in real life. So we asked patients to go home and wear the sensor for a day. With the help of reliable algorithms that analyze movement data from the sensors, the scientists objectively monitored the walking speed of the patients around the clock. "

On average, patients were found to walk at the same speed at home and in the clinic. The analysis also found that people tended to move more slowly with short walking movements, such as taking a few steps and then stopping to do another task more quickly in running exercises that lasted longer than a minute and were mostly outdoors.

During daily activities, some patients walked even faster than the maximum speed they walked in the clinic. These so-called "extraordinary steps" typically occurred between 30 minutes and three hours after taking your medication.

Scientists noted, "We can see the drug's effect by measuring the walking speed."

Atrsaei said, “The results suggest that monitoring gait speed during daily activities with wearable technology could help doctors optimize drug doses based on individual patient's motor symptoms. In addition, the sensors and special algorithms allow clinicians to monitor patients remotely, which could help protect vulnerable people in situations like the coronavirus pandemic. "

Journal reference:

1. Atrsaei et al. Walking speed in assessing clinical and daily life in Parkinson's patients: performance versus capacity. npj Parkinsons Dis. 7, 24 (2021). DOI: 10.1038 / s41531-021-00171-0

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