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

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 = Received: April 12, 2017 Accepted: June 26, 2017 Published online: August 17, 2017 E. Ray Dorsey, MD 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU 420694 Rochester, NY 14642 (USA) E-Mail ray.dorsey @ chet.rochester.edu www.karger.com/dib This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND) (http://www.karger.com/Services/OpenAccessLicense). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes as well as any distribution of modified material requires written permission. DOI: 10.1159/000479018 D ow nl oa de d by : 70 .1 92 .7 7. 15 4 8/ 19 /2 01 7 5: 58 :4 7 P M