Motor System Impairment Device Evaluates Tremors

A device is being developed that will allow doctors to easily evaluate the degree and type of the tremors caused in the upper limbs by some neurologic disorders.

Called a Dimeter, the 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.

The device 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. Together with 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 numeric or graphic 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.

The device was developed by scientists from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM; Madrid, Spain) and colleagues Antonio Barrientos and Roberto González from the Grupo de Investigación en Robótica y Cibernética of the UPM, with the collaboration of the Centro Estatal de Autonomía Personal y Ayudas Técnicas (CEAPAT) of the Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales (IMSERSO; Ceuta, Spain)


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Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales