Resting Postural Tremor in Multiple Sclerosis

Spectral Analyses of Resting Postural Tremor Measured by Accelerometer and Gyroscope as a Predictive Tool of Multiple Sclerosis

Early diagnosis is a key factor for effective treatment of multiple sclerosis. Accelerometer and gyroscope measurement of tremor could screen potential motor control dysfunction and predict a risk for development of multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study is to test whether specially developed accelerometer and gyroscope can differentiate pattern of resting postural tremor in healthy and people with multiple sclerosis.

Spectral analysis and the correlation of the average signal spectra will be computed. Moreover, categorization based on the tremor component according to the maximum likelihood estimation will be done.

Inclusion Criteria:

Group 1:

• Definite diagnosis of MS
• prevailed motor deficit of upper extremities, but without visible tremor
• stable clinical status in the preceding 3 months
• Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS) ≥ 2 ≤ 7.5, and
• no corticosteroid therapy in the preceding month

Group 2:

• Healthy volunteers in the age of 20-70 years will be employed
• There will be defined as persons without any neurological disease diagnose at the time of the measurement.

Exclusion Criteria (both groups):

Patients with factors disturbing mobility (e.g. stroke, pregnancy, fractures) were excluded from the study.