Avaliação de parâmetros temporais e inerciais para a caracterização da bradicinesia parkinsoniana durante a extensão do punho

Abstract

Many researchers have been characterizing bradykinesia manifested in Parkinson’s disease using a subjective scale. Recently, some researchers proposed the use of inertial sensors and electromyography to identify bradykinesia symptom in Parkinson’s patient. One of the main problems found in these studies is related to the identification of the parameters extracted from the signals, wich allows the recognition of patterns that discriminates normality from bradykinesia symptom. In this context, this research investigated the pattern of 8 temporal and inertial parameters in order to characterize healthy subjects and subjects with Parkinson’s disease. The temporal parameters were: time to achieve maximum angular velocity (TVangMax), linear acceleration (TAccMax), variation in the magnetic field (TMagMax), muscle contraction (TEMGMax) and total time to perform the task (TTASK). The inertial parameters were: maximum angular velocity (VAngMax), maximum acceleration (AccMax) and maximum variation in the magnetic field (MagMax). A total of 27 subjects participated in this research, 12 healthy subjects (60.1 ± 6.1 years) and 15 with Parkinson’s disease (65,3 ± 9,1 years). A neurologist evaluated how severe was the subject’s Parkinson’s disease using a UPDRS scale. All individuals performed a supported forearm wrist extension. The movements were performed with and without a load of 92 grams. The Wilconox test was used to make a comparative evaluation of the parameters resulting in a p < 0.05. The results of this research show the load does not have any influence on the estimated parameters, excepted the MagMax, which enabled the discrimination between groups. These results are relevant for clinical studies that need these parameters to assess and monitor the efficiency of therapies, related to the control of the bradykinesia symptom in Parkinson’s disease.