(mentions CMT) New Motor System Impairment Diagnosing Tool Developed

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New Motor System Impairment Diagnosing Tool Developed

Researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid are

developing a tool that will allow doctors to easily evaluate the

degree and type of the tremors caused in the upper limbs by some

neurological disorders.

The DIMETER system makes it easier for doctors and other health

professionals to objectively evaluate the tremors exhibited in the

hands and fingers of patients affected by some disorders that impair

their motor skills, such as Parkinson, Amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis, or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

To make such measurements, DIMETER uses an electromechanical

apparatus that is controlled by the hand or finger of the affected

patient and registers the movement and the forces that are

generated. Using this device and a computer monitor, doctors execute

a series of virtual static and motion tests, such as trying to keep

the hand at rest, or describing a set movement, like a straight line

or a spiral. In any of these tests a weight can be added to the

patient to evaluate the effect on the tremor while the system

constantly monitors and records each movement.

The computer gathers the data and processes it to provide the doctor

with the information needed for the patient's evaluation in a

numerical or graphical format to the level of detail required. This

report is objective and precise and enables doctors to adjust their

diagnosis of the condition and monitor the progression of the

disease, or the effectiveness of the treatment.

Medical diagnosis tool

The new device, patented by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,

has been co-developed by the researchers Barrientos and

o González from the Grupo de Investigación en Robótica y

Cibernética of the UPM, with the colaboration of the Centro Estatal

de Autonomía Personal y Ayudas Técnicas (CEAPAT) of the IMSERSO.

This tool, designed for medical consults, not only provides

information of the type and degree of the tremor, but helps by

offering a diagnostic. This way doctors have a corroboration of the

diagnosis and treatment for the patient ensuring they are cared for

effectively. Moreover, the system collates accurate data of each

patient's case, helping the investigation and improving the

diagnoses and treatment of the diseases that present such symptoms.

The DIMETER system has already been used at the Ramón y Cajal

hospital to undertake a study of the effect that the Deep Brain

Stimulation technique has on the tremors. The use of this system has

also helped the development of a new system called ACORTE that uses

the processed data from the DIMETER to enable people suffering from

tremors to use a conventional computer mouse.

Adapted from materials provided by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.