Feasibility of large-scale deployment of multiple wearable sensors in Parkinson’s disease

Wearable devices can capture objective day-to-day data about Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing wearable technology to collect data from multiple sensors during the daily lives of PD patients. The Parkinson@home study is an observational, two-cohort (North America, NAM; The Netherlands, NL) study. To recruit participants, different strategies were used between sites. Main enrolment criteria were self-reported diagnosis of PD, possession of a smartphone and age ≥18 years. Participants used the Fox Wearable Companion app on a smartwatch and smartphone for a minimum of 6 weeks (NAM) or 13 weeks (NL). Sensor-derived measures estimated information about movement. Additionally, medication intake and symptoms were collected via self-reports in the app. A total of 953 participants were included (NL: 304, NAM: 649). Enrolment rate was 88% in the NL (n = 304) and 51% (n = 649) in NAM. Overall, 84% (n = 805) of participants contributed sensor data. Participants were compliant for 68% (16.3 hours/participant/day) of the study period in NL and for 62% (14.8 hours/participant/day) in NAM. Daily accelerometer data collection decreased 23% in the NL after 13 weeks, and 27% in NAM after 6 weeks. Data contribution was not affected by demographics, clinical characteristics or attitude towards technology, but was by the platform usability score in the NL (χ2 (2) = 32.014, p<0.001), and self-reported depression in NAM (χ2(2) = 6.397, p = .04). The Parkinson@home study shows that it is feasible to collect objective data using multiple wearable sensors in PD during daily life in a large cohort

Use of an innovative model to evaluate mobility in seniors with lower-limb amputations of vascular origin: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mobility of older individuals has often been only partially assessed, without considering all important aspects such as potential (available) versus effective (used) mobilities and the physical and psychosocial factors that modulate them. This study proposes a new model for evaluating mobility that considers all important aspects, applied here to lower-limb amputees with vascular origin. This model integrates the concepts of potential mobility (e.g. balance, speed of movement), effective mobility (e.g. life habits, movements in living areas) and factors that modulate these two types of mobility (e.g. strength, sensitivity, social support, depression). The main objective was to characterize potential and effective mobility as well as mobility modulators in a small sample of people with lower-limb amputations of vascular origin with different characteristics. The second objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of measuring all variables in the model in a residential context.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An observational and transversal design was used with a heterogeneous sample of 10 participants with a lower-limb amputation of vascular origin, aged 51 to 83, assessed between eight and 18 months after discharge from an acute care hospital. A questionnaire of participant characteristics and 16 reliable and valid measurements were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results show that the potential mobility indicators do not accurately predict effective mobility, i.e., participants who perform well on traditional measures done in the laboratory or clinic are not always those who perform well in the real world. The model generated 4 different profiles (categories) of participants ranging from reduced to excellent potential mobility and low to excellent effective mobility, and characterized the modulating factors. The evaluations were acceptable in terms of the time taken (three hours) and the overall measurements, with a few exceptions, which were modified to optimize the data collected and the classification of the participants. For the population assessed, the results showed that some of the negative modulators (particularly living alone, no rehabilitation, pain, limited social support, poor muscle strength) played an important role in reducing effective mobility.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The first use of the model revealed interesting data that add to our understanding of important aspects linked to potential and effective mobility as well as modulators. The feasibility of measuring all variables in the model in a residential context was demonstrated. A study with a large number of participants is now warranted to rigorously characterize mobility levels of lower-limb amputees with vascular origin.</p

Case study: Correction of angular deformity post-trans-tibial amputation to improve prosthesis fit and comfort

Background: This case report describes the revision of a trans-tibial amputation complicated by a proximal malunited fracture. It demonstrates the complexity of decisions involved in revisions of this nature. Case description and methods: The patient presented has a painful stump due to breakdown of soft tissues. She had been suffering for over a year with pressure sores and inability to use a prosthesis resulting from this, decreasing her quality of life. Malunion of a tibial fracture proximal to the amputation complicated her condition. Findings and outcomes: Initially it was feared that the amputation level would be converted to a through-knee amputation, but wedge osteotomy of the tibia allowed coverage of the stump, increasing functionality for the patient, while still maintaining a below-knee stump. Conclusion: This report highlights the importance of addressing the cause of soft tissue problems in an amputation revision, which must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Clinical relevance: This case offers an insight into the decision-making process in limb reconstruction and suggests a solution for similar cases. It is important that all surgical options are considered before amputation length is sacrificed

Avaliação funcional de idosos com amputação de membros inferiores atendidos em um hospital universitário Evaluación funcional de ancianos con amputación de los miembros inferiores atendidos en un hospital universitario Functional evaluation of elderly with lower limb amputation followed at a university hospital

Foram entrevistados 40 idosos com amputação acima dos maléolos em acompanhamento no ambulatório de Órteses e Próteses do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, no período de junho de 1994 a junho de 1999, com objetivo de avaliar o nível de independência, segundo o índice de Barthel, e de identificar relações entre o índice de Barthel e o tipo e nível da amputação, e uso da prótese. Os sujeitos desta pesquisa apresentam elevado grau de independência para as atividades da vida diária, segundo o índice de Barthel. Houve associação significativa somente entre o índice de Barthel e o tipo de amputação, indicando que os idosos com amputação unilateral são mais independentes do que aqueles com amputação bilateral.<br>Fueron entrevistados 40 ancianos con amputación por encima de los maleolos, que estaban en seguimiento ambulatorio en la Unidad de Órtesis y Prótesis del Hospital Clínicas de la Universidad Estatal de Campinas, en el período de junio de 1994 a junio de 1999. El objetivo fue evaluar el nivel de independencia según el Índice de Barthel e identificar las relaciones entre el Índice de Barthel, el nivel de amputación, y el uso de prótesis. Los sujetos de esta investigación presentaron elevado grado de independencia para las actividades de la vida diaria según el Índice de Barthel. El análisis mostró asociación significativa apenas entre el Índice de Barthel y el tipo de amputación, indicando que los ancianos con amputación unilateral son mas independientes que aquellos con amputación bilateral.<br>We studied 40 elderly with lower limb amputation (above the malleolus), who attended a hospital outpatient clinic (Orthoses and Prostheses Unity, University Hospital, State University of Campinas), from June 1994 to June 1999. Our objectives were to evaluate the independence level according to the Barthel's Index and to identify relationships between the mentioned Index and the type and level of amputation, as well as the prosthetic use. The subjects had a high degree of independence, according to the Barthel's Index. We found statistical significance only for the relationship between the Barthel's Index and the type of amputation, suggesting that the elderly with unilateral amputation were more independent than those who had undergone bilateral amputation