Tapping Test and the Archimedean Spiral for the Differential Diagnosis of Tremor. Machine Learning Approach

Launched by CONSORCI SANITARI DE L'ALT PENEDÈS I GARRAF · Apr 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to tell whether a person’s tremor is caused by Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. Understanding the cause of a tremor is important because it affects how patients are treated. In this study, 110 participants with either Parkinson's disease or essential tremor will take part in two tests: the tapping test and the Archimedean spiral test. The information from these tests will be analyzed using advanced computer techniques, known as machine learning, to help doctors make better diagnoses.

To be eligible for the trial, participants need to be able to cooperate with the tests and have a confirmed diagnosis of either Parkinson's disease or essential tremor. They also need to be able to give consent to participate, either themselves or through a legal representative. Some people may not be able to join if they are taking certain medications or have other medical conditions that could interfere with the study. Participants can expect to undergo the two tests and contribute to important research that could improve how tremors are diagnosed in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Possibility to collaborate in the necessary evaluations.
• • Follow-up in the specialized consultation of Movement Disorders at the Neurology Service of Hospital Sant Camil-Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedes i Garraf.
• • Legal capacity to provide informed consent.
• • Signature of informed consent for study inclusion, either by the participant themselves or by their legal representative.
• * Participant with criteria from Group 1 or 2:
• Group 1:
• * Confirmed diagnosis of tremor due to Parkinson's disease, clinically established, based on the diagnostic criteria of the Movement Disorders Society, and additionally:
• • Tremor associated with bradykinesia of any duration.
• • Confirmatory clinical diagnosis of tremor due to Parkinson's disease (stages 1 to 2 of Hoehn and Yahr) by the neurologist responsible for the participant's follow-up.
• Group 2:
• * Confirmed diagnosis of essential tremor, based on the criteria of the Movement Disorders Society, and additionally:
• • Positional tremor plus kinetic and/or resting tremor with follow-up in outpatient neurology consultations for at least 3 years without a change in diagnosis.
• • Absence of bradykinesia.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients undergoing treatment with antipsychotics or antidepressants.
• • Patients with Parkinson's disease and dyskinesias.
• • Patients undergoing treatment with dopaminergic agonists or primidone.
• • Tremor of such severity that it prevents continuous tracing, at the investigator's discretion.
• • Cognitive or affective pathology that limits the ability to collaborate with the study procedures.
• • Participation in another clinical study involving an intervention, procedure, or visit frequency that is incompatible with the present study.
• * Participants diagnosed with any of the following conditions:
• • Alcoholism of sufficient intensity to influence handwriting or cause neuropathy, at the investigator's discretion. Peripheral neuropathy of any cause. Dystonias. Previous stroke.