Multiple Wearable Sensors in Parkinson and Huntington Disease Individuals: A Pilot Study in Clinic and at Home

Jamie L Adams; Karthik Dinesh; Mulin Xiong; Christopher G Tarolli; Saloni Sharma; Nirav Sheth; A J Aranyosi; William Zhu; Steven Goldenthal; Kevin M Biglan; E Ray Dorsey; Gaurav Sharma

doi:10.1159/000479018

Multiple Wearable Sensors in Parkinson and Huntington Disease Individuals: A Pilot Study in Clinic and at Home

Digit Biomark. 2017 Aug 17;1(1):52-63. doi: 10.1159/000479018. eCollection 2017 Sep-Dec.

Authors

Jamie L Adams^{1

2}, Karthik Dinesh³, Mulin Xiong², Christopher G Tarolli^{1

2}, Saloni Sharma², Nirav Sheth⁴, A J Aranyosi⁴, William Zhu², Steven Goldenthal², Kevin M Biglan^{1

2}, E Ray Dorsey^{1

2}, Gaurav Sharma^{3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
² Center for Health and Technology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
³ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
⁴ MC10 Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts, USA.
⁵ Department of Computer Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.

Abstract

Background: Clinician rating scales and patient-reported outcomes are the principal means of assessing motor symptoms in Parkinson disease and Huntington disease. However, these assessments are subjective and generally limited to episodic in-person visits. Wearable sensors can objectively and continuously measure motor features and could be valuable in clinical research and care.

Methods: We recruited participants with Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, and prodromal Huntington disease (individuals who carry the genetic marker but do not yet exhibit symptoms of the disease), and controls to wear 5 accelerometer-based sensors on their chest and limbs for standardized in-clinic assessments and for 2 days at home. The study's aims were to assess the feasibility of use of wearable sensors, to determine the activity (lying, sitting, standing, walking) of participants, and to survey participants on their experience.

Results: Fifty-six individuals (16 with Parkinson disease, 15 with Huntington disease, 5 with prodromal Huntington disease, and 20 controls) were enrolled in the study. Data were successfully obtained from 99.3% (278/280) of sensors dispatched. On average, individuals with Huntington disease spent over 50% of the total time lying down, substantially more than individuals with prodromal Huntington disease (33%, p = 0.003), Parkinson disease (38%, p = 0.01), and controls (34%; p < 0.001). Most (86%) participants were "willing" or "very willing" to wear the sensors again.

Conclusions: Among individuals with movement disorders, the use of wearable sensors in clinic and at home was feasible and well-received. These sensors can identify statistically significant differences in activity profiles between individuals with movement disorders and those without. In addition, continuous, objective monitoring can reveal disease characteristics not observed in clinic.

Keywords: Ambulatory patients; Clinical study; Gait; Huntington disease; Monitoring; Movement disorders; Parkinson disease; Remote sensing technology; Technology.

Grants and funding

T32 NS007338/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States