1
|
Connaghan KP, Green JR, Eshghi M, Haenssler AE, Scheier ZA, Clark A, Iyer A, Richburg BD, Rowe HP, Okada J, Johnson SA, Onnela JP, Burke KM, Berry JD. The relationship of rate and pause features to the communicative participation of people living with ALS. Muscle Nerve 2024; 70:217-225. [PMID: 38837773 PMCID: PMC11229383 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Many people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) report restrictions in their day-to-day communication (communicative participation). However, little is known about which speech features contribute to these restrictions. This study evaluated the effects of common speech symptoms in PALS (reduced overall speaking rate, slowed articulation rate, and increased pausing) on communicative participation restrictions. METHODS Participants completed surveys (the Communicative Participation Item Bank-short form; the self-entry version of the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised) and recorded themselves reading the Bamboo Passage aloud using a smartphone app. Rate and pause measures were extracted from the recordings. The association of various demographic, clinical, self-reported, and acoustic speech features with communicative participation was evaluated with bivariate correlations. The contribution of salient rate and pause measures to communicative participation was assessed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS Fifty seven people living with ALS participated in the study (mean age = 61.1 years). Acoustic and self-report measures of speech and bulbar function were moderately to highly associated with communicative participation (Spearman rho coefficients ranged from rs = 0.48 to rs = 0.77). A regression model including participant age, sex, articulation rate, and percent pause time accounted for 57% of the variance of communicative participation ratings. DISCUSSION Even though PALS with slowed articulation rate and increased pausing may convey their message clearly, these speech features predict communicative participation restrictions. The identification of quantitative speech features, such as articulation rate and percent pause time, is critical to facilitating early and targeted intervention and for monitoring bulbar decline in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn P Connaghan
- Speech and Social Interaction Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan R Green
- Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marziye Eshghi
- Speech, Physiology, and Neurobiology of Aging and Dementia Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Radiology, MGH, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Abigail E Haenssler
- Speech and Social Interaction Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zoe A Scheier
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison Clark
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amrita Iyer
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian D Richburg
- Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hannah P Rowe
- Speech Neuroscience Lab, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - June Okada
- Speech and Social Interaction Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen A Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine M Burke
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Erb MK, Calcagno N, Brown R, Burke KM, Scheier ZA, Iyer AS, Clark A, Higgins MP, Keegan M, Gupta AS, Johnson SA, Chew S, Berry JD. Longitudinal comparison of the self-administered ALSFRS-RSE and ALSFRS-R as functional outcome measures in ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:570-580. [PMID: 38501453 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2322549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Test the feasibility, adherence rates and optimal frequency of digital, remote assessments using the ALSFRS-RSE via a customized smartphone-based app. METHODS This fully remote, longitudinal study was conducted over a 24-week period, with virtual visits every 3 months and weekly digital assessments. 19 ALS participants completed digital assessments via smartphone, including a digital version of the ALSFRS-RSE and mood survey. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess agreement between staff-administered and self-reported ALSFRS-R pairs. Longitudinal change was evaluated using ANCOVA models and linear mixed models, including impact of mood and time of day. Impact of frequency of administration of the ALSFRS-RSE on precision of the estimate slope was tested using a mixed effects model. RESULTS In our ALS cohort, digital assessments were well-accepted and adherence was robust, with completion rates of 86%. There was excellent agreement between the digital self-entry and staff-administered scores computing multiple ICCs (ICC range = 0.925-0.961), with scores on the ALSFRS-RSE slightly higher (1.304 points). Digital assessments were associated with increased precision of the slope, resulting in higher standardized response mean estimates for higher frequencies, though benefit appeared to diminish at biweekly and weekly frequency. Effects of participant mood and time of day on total ALSFRS-RSE score were evaluated but were minimal and not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Remote collection of digital patient-reported outcomes of functional status such as the ALSFRS-RSE yield more accurate estimates of change over time and provide a broader understanding of the lived experience of people with ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Narghes Calcagno
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
- Neurology Residency Program, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Katherine M Burke
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Zoe A Scheier
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Amrita S Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Alison Clark
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Max P Higgins
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Mackenzie Keegan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Anoopum S Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Stephen A Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - Sheena Chew
- Biogen, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| | - James D Berry
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Boston, MA, USA, and
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ludolph AC, Corcia P, Desnuelle C, Heiman-Patterson T, Mora JS, Mansfield CD, Couratier P. Categorization of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis population via the clinical determinant of post-onset ΔFS for study design and medical practice. Muscle Nerve 2024; 70:36-41. [PMID: 38712849 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) has become the most widely utilized measure of disease severity in patients with ALS, with change in ALSFRS-R from baseline being a trusted primary outcome measure in ALS clinical trials. This is despite the scale having several established limitations, and although alternative scales have been proposed, it is unlikely that these will displace ALSFRS-R in the foreseeable future. Here, we discuss the merits of delta FS (ΔFS), the slope or rate of ALSFRS-R decline over time, as a relevant tool for innovative ALS study design, with an as yet untapped potential for optimization of drug effectiveness and patient management. In our view, categorization of the ALS population via the clinical determinant of post-onset ΔFS is an important study design consideration. It serves not only as a critical stratification factor and basis for patient enrichment but also as a tool to explore differences in treatment response across the overall population; thereby, facilitating identification of responder subgroups. Moreover, because post-onset ΔFS is derived from information routinely collected as part of standard patient care and monitoring, it provides a suitable patient selection tool for treating physicians. Overall, post-onset ΔFS is a very attractive enrichment tool that is, can and should be regularly incorporated into ALS trial design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Le Centre de Référence pour les Maladies Rares SLA, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Tours, France
| | - Claude Desnuelle
- Centre de Référence Maladies Neuromusculaires/SLA, Neurosciences Department, CHU Nice-University Nice-Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Terry Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de Référence SLA et Autres Maladies du Motoneurone, CHU Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stegmann G, Krantsevich C, Liss J, Charles S, Bartlett M, Shefner J, Rutkove S, Kawabata K, Talkar T, Berisha V. Automated speech analytics in ALS: higher sensitivity of digital articulatory precision over the ALSFRS-R. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38932502 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2371986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Although studies have shown that digital measures of speech detected ALS speech impairment and correlated with the ALSFRS-R speech item, no study has yet compared their performance in detecting speech changes. In this study, we compared the performances of the ALSFRS-R speech item and an algorithmic speech measure in detecting clinically important changes in speech. Importantly, the study was part of a FDA submission which received the breakthrough device designation for monitoring ALS; we provide this paper as a roadmap for validating other speech measures for monitoring disease progression. Methods: We obtained ALSFRS-R speech subscores and speech samples from participants with ALS. We computed the minimum detectable change (MDC) of both measures; using clinician-reported listener effort and a perceptual ratings of severity, we calculated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of each measure with respect to both sets of clinical ratings. Results: For articulatory precision, the MDC (.85) was lower than both MCID measures (2.74 and 2.28), and for the ALSFRS-R speech item, MDC (.86) was greater than both MCID measures (.82 and .72), indicating that while the articulatory precision measure detected minimal clinically important differences in speech, the ALSFRS-R speech item did not. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the digital measure of articulatory precision effectively detects clinically important differences in speech ratings, outperforming the ALSFRS-R speech item. Taken together, the results herein suggest that this speech outcome is a clinically meaningful measure of speech change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Stegmann
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Chelsea Krantsevich
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Sherman Charles
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Seward Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kan Kawabata
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tanya Talkar
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Torri F, Vadi G, Meli A, Loprieno S, Schirinzi E, Lopriore P, Ricci G, Siciliano G, Mancuso M. The use of digital tools in rare neurological diseases towards a new care model: a narrative review. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07631-4. [PMID: 38856822 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07631-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Rare neurological diseases as a whole share peculiar features as motor and/or cognitive impairment, an elevated disability burden, a frequently chronic course and, in present times, scarcity of therapeutic options. The rarity of those conditions hampers both the identification of significant prognostic outcome measures, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches and clinical trials. Collection of objective clinical data through digital devices can support diagnosis, care, and therapeutic research. We provide an overview on recent developments in the field of digital tools applied to rare neurological diseases, both in the care setting and as providers of outcome measures in clinical trials in a representative subgroup of conditions, including ataxias, hereditary spastic paraplegias, motoneuron diseases and myopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Torri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Vadi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Adriana Meli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Loprieno
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Schirinzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Piervito Lopriore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Mancuso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Karas M, Olsen J, Straczkiewicz M, Johnson SA, Burke KM, Iwasaki S, Lahav A, Scheier ZA, Clark AP, Iyer AS, Huang E, Berry JD, Onnela J. Tracking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease progression using passively collected smartphone sensor data. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:1380-1392. [PMID: 38816946 PMCID: PMC11187949 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Passively collected smartphone sensor data provide an opportunity to study physical activity and mobility unobtrusively over long periods of time and may enable disease monitoring in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS). METHODS We enrolled 63 PALS who used Beiwe mobile application that collected their smartphone accelerometer and GPS data and administered the self-entry ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-RSE) survey. We identified individual steps from accelerometer data and used the Activity Index to summarize activity at the minute level. Walking, Activity Index, and GPS outcomes were then aggregated into day-level measures. We used linear mixed effect models (LMMs) to estimate baseline and monthly change for ALSFRS-RSE scores (total score, subscores Q1-3, Q4-6, Q7-9, Q10-12) and smartphone sensor data measures, as well as the associations between them. FINDINGS The analytic sample (N = 45) was 64.4% male with a mean age of 60.1 years. The mean observation period was 292.3 days. The ALSFRS-RSE total score baseline mean was 35.8 and had a monthly rate of decline of -0.48 (p-value <0.001). We observed statistically significant change over time and association with ALSFRS-RSE total score for four smartphone sensor data-derived measures: walking cadence from top 1 min and log-transformed step count, step count from top 1 min, and Activity Index from top 1 min. INTERPRETATION Smartphone sensors can unobtrusively track physical changes in PALS, potentially aiding disease monitoring and future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Karas
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard University677 Huntington Ave.BostonMassachusetts02115USA
| | - Julia Olsen
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard University677 Huntington Ave.BostonMassachusetts02115USA
| | - Marcin Straczkiewicz
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard University677 Huntington Ave.BostonMassachusetts02115USA
| | - Stephen A. Johnson
- Department of NeurologyMayo Clinic13400 E. Shea Blvd.ScottsdaleArizona85259USA
| | - Katherine M. Burke
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital15 Parkman St #835BostonMassachusetts02114USA
| | - Satoshi Iwasaki
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc.525 Washington Blvd.Jersey CityNew Jersey07310USA
| | - Amir Lahav
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc.525 Washington Blvd.Jersey CityNew Jersey07310USA
| | - Zoe A. Scheier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital15 Parkman St #835BostonMassachusetts02114USA
| | - Alison P. Clark
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital15 Parkman St #835BostonMassachusetts02114USA
| | - Amrita S. Iyer
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital15 Parkman St #835BostonMassachusetts02114USA
| | - Emily Huang
- Department of Statistical SciencesWake Forest UniversityWinston‐SalemNorth Carolina27106USA
| | - James D. Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital15 Parkman St #835BostonMassachusetts02114USA
| | - Jukka‐Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard University677 Huntington Ave.BostonMassachusetts02115USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bingham IN, Norel R, Roitberg EG, Peller J, Trevisan MA, Agurto C, Shalom DE, Aguirre F, Embon I, Taitz A, Harris D, Wright A, Seaver K, Sullivan S, Green JR, Ostrow LW, Fraenkel E, Berry JD. Listener effort quantifies clinically meaningful progression of dysarthria in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.31.24308140. [PMID: 38853969 PMCID: PMC11160879 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.24308140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative motor neuron disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Progressive bulbar dysfunction causes dysarthria and thus social isolation, reducing quality of life. The Everything ALS Speech Study obtained longitudinal clinical information and speech recordings from 292 participants. In a subset of 120 participants, we measured speaking rate (SR) and listener effort (LE), a measure of dysarthria severity rated by speech pathologists from recordings. LE intra- and inter-rater reliability was very high (ICC 0.88 to 0.92). LE correlated with other measures of dysarthria at baseline. LE changed over time in participants with ALS (slope 0.77 pts/month; p<0.001) but not controls (slope 0.005 pts/month; p=0.807). The slope of LE progression was similar in all participants with ALS who had bulbar dysfunction at baseline, regardless of ALS site of onset. LE could be a remotely collected clinically meaningful clinical outcome assessment for ALS clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indu Navar Bingham
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
| | | | - Esteban G. Roitberg
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
- Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián Peller
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias Cognitivas Computacionales, Humai, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos A Trevisan
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física - CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Física Interdisciplinaria y Aplicada (INFINA). Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Diego E. Shalom
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física - CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Física Interdisciplinaria y Aplicada (INFINA). Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Felipe Aguirre
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
| | - Iair Embon
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
| | - Alan Taitz
- SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA. This work was performed working at
| | - Donna Harris
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amy Wright
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
| | - Katie Seaver
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
- MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Stacey Sullivan
- Peter Cohen Foundation dba Everything ALS, Seattle, Washington and Los Altos, California, USA
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan R. Green
- MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Lyle W. Ostrow
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James D. Berry
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Choi A, Ooi A, Lottridge D. Digital Phenotyping for Stress, Anxiety, and Mild Depression: Systematic Literature Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e40689. [PMID: 38780995 PMCID: PMC11157179 DOI: 10.2196/40689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unaddressed early-stage mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and mild depression, can become a burden for individuals in the long term. Digital phenotyping involves capturing continuous behavioral data via digital smartphone devices to monitor human behavior and can potentially identify milder symptoms before they become serious. OBJECTIVE This systematic literature review aimed to answer the following questions: (1) what is the evidence of the effectiveness of digital phenotyping using smartphones in identifying behavioral patterns related to stress, anxiety, and mild depression? and (2) in particular, which smartphone sensors are found to be effective, and what are the associated challenges? METHODS We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) process to identify 36 papers (reporting on 40 studies) to assess the key smartphone sensors related to stress, anxiety, and mild depression. We excluded studies conducted with nonadult participants (eg, teenagers and children) and clinical populations, as well as personality measurement and phobia studies. As we focused on the effectiveness of digital phenotyping using smartphones, results related to wearable devices were excluded. RESULTS We categorized the studies into 3 major groups based on the recruited participants: studies with students enrolled in universities, studies with adults who were unaffiliated to any particular organization, and studies with employees employed in an organization. The study length varied from 10 days to 3 years. A range of passive sensors were used in the studies, including GPS, Bluetooth, accelerometer, microphone, illuminance, gyroscope, and Wi-Fi. These were used to assess locations visited; mobility; speech patterns; phone use, such as screen checking; time spent in bed; physical activity; sleep; and aspects of social interactions, such as the number of interactions and response time. Of the 40 included studies, 31 (78%) used machine learning models for prediction; most others (n=8, 20%) used descriptive statistics. Students and adults who experienced stress, anxiety, or depression visited fewer locations, were more sedentary, had irregular sleep, and accrued increased phone use. In contrast to students and adults, less mobility was seen as positive for employees because less mobility in workplaces was associated with higher performance. Overall, travel, physical activity, sleep, social interaction, and phone use were related to stress, anxiety, and mild depression. CONCLUSIONS This study focused on understanding whether smartphone sensors can be effectively used to detect behavioral patterns associated with stress, anxiety, and mild depression in nonclinical participants. The reviewed studies provided evidence that smartphone sensors are effective in identifying behavioral patterns associated with stress, anxiety, and mild depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Choi
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Aysel Ooi
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Danielle Lottridge
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Straczkiewicz M, Karas M, Johnson SA, Burke KM, Scheier Z, Royse TB, Calcagno N, Clark A, Iyer A, Berry JD, Onnela JP. Upper limb movements as digital biomarkers in people with ALS. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:105036. [PMID: 38432083 PMCID: PMC10914560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Objective evaluation of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) in free-living settings is challenging. The introduction of portable digital devices, such as wearables and smartphones, may improve quantifying disease progression and hasten therapeutic development. However, there is a need for tools to characterize upper limb movements in neurologic disease and disability. METHODS Twenty PALS wore a wearable accelerometer, ActiGraph Insight Watch, on their wrist for six months. They also used Beiwe, a smartphone application that collected self-entry ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-RSE) survey responses every 1-4 weeks. We developed several measures that quantify count and duration of upper limb movements: flexion, extension, supination, and pronation. New measures were compared against ALSFRS-RSE total score (Q1-12), and individual responses to specific questions related to handwriting (Q4), cutting food (Q5), dressing and performing hygiene (Q6), and turning in bed and adjusting bed clothes (Q7). Additional analysis considered adjusting for total activity counts (TAC). FINDINGS At baseline, PALS with higher Q1-12 performed more upper limb movements, and these movements were faster compared to individuals with more advanced disease. Most upper limb movement metrics had statistically significant change over time, indicating declining function either by decreasing count metrics or by increasing duration metric. All count and duration metrics were significantly associated with Q1-12, flexion and extension counts were significantly associated with Q6 and Q7, supination and pronation counts were also associated with Q4. All duration metrics were associated with Q6 and Q7. All duration metrics retained their statistical significance after adjusting for TAC. INTERPRETATION Wearable accelerometer data can be used to generate digital biomarkers on upper limb movements and facilitate patient monitoring in free-living environments. The presented method offers interpretable monitoring of patients' functioning and versatile tracking of disease progression in the limb of interest. FUNDING Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Straczkiewicz
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Marta Karas
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Katherine M Burke
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zoe Scheier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tim B Royse
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Narghes Calcagno
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Neurology Residency Program, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alison Clark
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amrita Iyer
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Higgins B, Jones L, Devraj K, Kilduff C, Moosajee M. 'It would help people to help me': Acceptability of digital phenotyping among young people with visual impairment and their families. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076231220804. [PMID: 38188864 PMCID: PMC10771050 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231220804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore the acceptability of an eHealth App for vision-related monitoring and symptom reporting among young people with a visual impairment and their parents. Methods Qualitative investigation using virtual semi-structured focus groups (via Zoom software) of seven young participants with a genetic eye disorder including inherited retinal disease and structural eye abnormalities (e.g. microphthalmia), and 7 parents; all recruited from ocular genetic clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Audio transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Data were coded into six key themes: (1) increased involvement in care, (2) opportunity for less hospital-centric care, (3) better representation of visual impairment in a real-world setting, (4) trust in a reputable service provider, (5) harnessing data for health purposes and (6) intended purpose of the app. Both young people and their families were accepting of an eHealth app and felt they would be empowered by greater involvement in their care plan, if privacy of the data was retained, and information was managed correctly. While parents endorsed the opportunity for mental health tracking, young people were hesitant towards its inclusion. Conclusion In summary, there was overall acceptability of an eHealth app among young people with a visual impairment and their parents. These findings will help to maximise the effective integration of digital phenotyping when monitoring and supporting young people experiencing sight loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Higgins
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Division of Optometry and Vision Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Lee Jones
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Research Directorate, BRAVO VICTOR, London, UK
| | - Kishan Devraj
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pupillo E, Al-Chalabi A, Sassi S, Arippol E, Tinti L, Vitelli E, Copetti M, Leone MA, Bianchi E. Methodological Quality of Clinical Trials in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:749-765. [PMID: 38759021 PMCID: PMC11307009 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Background More than 200 clinical trials have been performed worldwide in ALS so far, but no agents with substantial efficacy on disease progression have been found. Objective To describe the methodological quality of all clinical trials performed in ALS and published before December 31, 2022. Methods We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses. Results 213 trials were included. 47.4% manuscripts described preclinical study evaluation, with a positive effect in all. 67.6% of trials were conducted with a parallel-arm design, while 12.7% were cross-over studies; 77% were randomized, while in 5.6% historical-controls were used for comparison. 70% of trials were double blind. Participant inclusion allowed forced vital capacity (or corresponding slow vital capacity)<50% in 15% cases, between 55-65% in 21.6%, between 70-80% in 14.1% reports, and 49.3% of the evaluated manuscripts did not provide a minimum value for respiratory capacity at inclusion. Disease duration was < 6-months in 6 studies, 7-36 months in 68, 37-60 months in 24, 8 trials requested more than 1-month of disease duration, while in 107 reports a disease duration was not described. Dropout rate was ≥20% in 30.5% trials, while it was not reported for 8.5%. Conclusion The methodological quality of the included studies was highly variable. Major issues to be addressed in future ALS clinical trials include: the requirement for standard animal toxicology and phase I studies, the resource-intensive nature of phase II-III studies, adequate study methodology and design, a good results reporting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Pupillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Serena Sassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Arippol
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tinti
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Vitelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maurizio A. Leone
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Research Center for ALS, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hirayama T, Shibukawa M, Morioka H, Hozumi M, Tsuda H, Atsuta N, Izumi Y, Nakayama Y, Shimizu T, Inoue H, Urushitani M, Yamanaka K, Aoki M, Ebihara S, Takeda A, Kano O. The necessity to improve disaster preparedness among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their families. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 116:87-92. [PMID: 37659173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Disaster preparation is an important issue for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated disaster preparedness among patients with ALS. In this study, we aimed to investigate disaster preparation in patients with ALS and their caregivers, including their families, in Japan. We conducted a nationwide webinar in September 2022 titled "ALS Café" and distributed a self-report questionnaire to participants with questions about awareness of disaster preparedness, social countermeasures, stockpiles, and electricity demand. Forty-eight patients with ALS (27 male; average age 60.0 ± 9.3 years) and 23 caregivers (8 male; 55.7 ± 9.9 years) responded. The median revised ALS Functional Rating Scale score was 30.5, and 25% of the patients with ALS were on a ventilator. More than 70% of the respondents answered that they were not prepared for disasters, increasing to 89% in patients not using ventilators. In the event of their phones being down, 86% of the respondents had no plans for alternative means of communication. <30% of the respondents, including ventilator users, had secured human resources for transportation. Twenty-five percent of the respondents did not stockpile food and beverages, and 12% of the ventilator users had no government-recommended ventilator preparation equipment. Thus, although patients with ALS and their families with ventilators have a high awareness of disaster preparedness, their awareness remains insufficient. Furthermore, patients with ALS and their families without ventilators have a low awareness of disaster preparedness. Therefore, better education regarding disaster preparedness is necessary for these groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takehisa Hirayama
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Mari Shibukawa
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Harumi Morioka
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Masamichi Hozumi
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsuda
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Naoki Atsuta
- Department of Neurology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute-shi, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Yuishin Izumi
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramotocho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakayama
- Unit for Intractable Disease Nursing Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Toshio Shimizu
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, 2-6-1 Musashidai, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-0042, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Inoue
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; iPSC-based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Hikaridai, Soraku-gun Seikacho, Kyoto 619-0237 Japan; Medical-risk Avoidance Based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), 9-3 Kizugawadai, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto 619-0225, Japan
| | - Makoto Urushitani
- Department of Neurology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Setatsukinowacho, Otsu-shi, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Koji Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryomachi, Sendai Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Ebihara
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryomachi, Sendai Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Sendai Nishitaga Hospital, 2-11-11 Kagitorihoncho, Sendai Taihaku-ku, Miyagi 982-8555, Japan
| | - Osamu Kano
- Department of Neurology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, 5-21-16 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hirayama T, Shibukawa M, Yanagihashi M, Warita H, Atsuta N, Yamanaka K, Kano O. Investigation of non-motor symptoms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neurol Belg 2023; 123:1797-1804. [PMID: 35987973 PMCID: PMC10505101 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-02036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
[Objective] Few studies have comprehensively investigated the non-motor symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We aimed to investigate this aspect of ALS. [Methods] We held a nationwide webinar, titled "ALS Café," and distributed self-report questionnaires to ALS patients. In addition to the frequency of non-motor symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disorders, defecation disorders, sialorrhea, and sexual problems, we evaluated the quality of life (QoL), ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). [Results] The average age of the 33 respondents (19 male, 14 female) was 60.8 ± 11.2; 96.7% of respondents had some non-motor symptoms. The median ALSFRS-R was 32.0, and seven (21.2%) of the respondents had a PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher. Fatigue was the most common non-motor symptom (81.8%), followed by pain (60.6%), defecation disorders (57.6%), sleep disorders (48.5%), sialorrhea (48.5%), and sexual problems (24.2%). Fatigue was more frequent in females (P = 0.03). Among the non-motor symptoms, pain was the most common factor affecting QoL, followed by fatigue. More than 90% of ALS patients answered that they had never consulted a physician/counselor about sexual problems. Patients with pain had higher PHQ-9 scores than those without (P = 0.01). There was no correlation between the ALSFRS-R score and QoL and PHQ-9. [Conclusions] Most patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis had non-motor symptoms, and fatigue and pain were the most common. We showed that many non-motor symptoms affected QoL without correlating with ALSFRS-R score. Attention should be paid to those even if the motor symptoms of ALS are mild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takehisa Hirayama
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Shibukawa
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Yanagihashi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Naoki Atsuta
- Department of Neurology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Koji Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Osamu Kano
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Liu P, Li X, Zhang XM. Healthcare professionals' and patients' assessments of listed mobile health apps in China: a qualitative study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1220160. [PMID: 37780445 PMCID: PMC10538635 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1220160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, mobile health (mHealth) has gradually developed in China, and intelligent medicine has become an important research topic. However, there are still significant problems in mHealth applications (apps). Although healthcare professionals and patients are the main users, few studies have focused on their perceptions of the quality of mHealth apps. Objective This study aimed to (1) understand the respective perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients regarding mHealth apps, (2) assess what barriers exist that influence the user experience, and (3) explore how to improve the quality of mHealth apps and the development of the mHealth market in China. The study aims to promote the standardization of mHealth apps and provide effective information for the improvement and development of mHealth apps in the future. Methods Semistructured interviews with 9 patients and 14 healthcare professionals were conducted from January 2022 to April 2022 in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. The participants used mHealth apps for more than 3 months, including the "Good Mood" and "Peace and Safe Doctors" apps and apps developed by the hospital that were popular in China. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The following five themes were extracted: different concerns, hidden medical dangers, distance and insecurity, barriers for older people, and having positive perceptions of mHealth apps. Healthcare professionals prioritized simplicity in regard to mHealth apps, whereas patients rated effectiveness as the most crucial factor. The study also revealed several problems with mHealth apps, including insufficient information about physician qualifications, inaccurate medical content, nonstandard treatment processes, and unclear accountability, which led to a sense of distance and insecurity among participants. Older individuals faced additional obstacles when using mHealth apps. Despite these issues, the participants remained optimistic about the future of mHealth app development. Conclusion The utilization, advantages, and obstacles of mHealth applications for healthcare professionals and patients were explored through semistructured interviews. Despite the promising prospects for mHealth apps in China, numerous issues still need to be addressed. Enhancing the safety monitoring system and developing user-friendly mHealth apps for older adult patients are essential steps to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- PeiYu Liu
- Department of Anesthesia and Operation Room, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - XueYun Li
- Department of Anesthesia and Operation Room, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Man Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gupta AS, Patel S, Premasiri A, Vieira F. At-home wearables and machine learning sensitively capture disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5080. [PMID: 37604821 PMCID: PMC10442344 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40917-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and impairment in motor function. Promising drug development efforts have accelerated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but are constrained by a lack of objective, sensitive, and accessible outcome measures. Here we investigate the use of wearable sensors, worn on four limbs at home during natural behavior, to quantify motor function and disease progression in 376 individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We use an analysis approach that automatically detects and characterizes submovements from passively collected accelerometer data and produces a machine-learned severity score for each limb that is independent of clinical ratings. We show that this approach produces scores that progress faster than the gold standard Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (-0.86 ± 0.70 SD/year versus -0.73 ± 0.74 SD/year), resulting in smaller clinical trial sample size estimates (N = 76 versus N = 121). This method offers an ecologically valid and scalable measure for potential use in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis trials and clinical care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anoopum S Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Siddharth Patel
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Moreno-Ligero M, Lucena-Anton D, Salazar A, Failde I, Moral-Munoz JA. mHealth Impact on Gait and Dynamic Balance Outcomes in Neurorehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Med Syst 2023; 47:75. [PMID: 37462759 PMCID: PMC10354142 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-023-01963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Gait and dynamic balance are two main goals in neurorehabilitation that mHealth systems could address. To analyze the impact of using mHealth systems on gait and dynamic balance outcomes in subjects with neurological disorders. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro databases were searched up to April 2023. Studies including adults with neurological disorders, analyzing the effectiveness of mHealth systems on gait and dynamic balance compared with conventional therapy and/or not intervention, were included. The PEDro scale and the Cochrane Collaboration's 2.0 tool were used for the methodological quality and risk of bias assessment. The Review Manager 5.4 software was used to obtain meta-analyses. 13 RCT were included in the systematic review and 11 in the meta-analyses, involving 528 subjects. A total of 21 mobile applications were identified for gait and balance training, and to enhance physical activity behaviors. There were significant differences in gait parameters, speed by 0.10 s/m (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.07,0.13;p<0.001), cadence by 8.01 steps/min (95%CI=3.30,12.72;p<0.001), affected step length by 8.89 cm (95%CI=4.88,12.90;p<0.001), non-affected step length by 8.08 cm (5%CI=2.64,13.51;p=0.004), and in dynamic balance, Timed Up and Go by -7.15 s (95%CI=-9.30,-4.99;p<0.001), and mobility subscale of Posture Assessment Scale for Stroke by 1.71 points (95%CI=1.38,2.04;p<0.001). Our findings suggested the use of mHealth systems for improving gait in subjects with neurological disorders, but controversial results on dynamics balance recovery were obtained. However, the quality of evidence is insufficient to strongly recommend them, so further research is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Moreno-Ligero
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
| | - David Lucena-Anton
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain.
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Salazar
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, School of Engineering, University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Failde
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Jose A Moral-Munoz
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009, Cadiz, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Eklund NM, Ouillon J, Pandey V, Stephen CD, Schmahmann JD, Edgerton J, Gajos KZ, Gupta AS. Real-life ankle submovements and computer mouse use reflect patient-reported function in adult ataxias. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad064. [PMID: 36993945 PMCID: PMC10042315 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel disease-modifying therapies are being evaluated in spinocerebellar ataxias and multiple system atrophy. Clinician-performed disease rating scales are relatively insensitive for measuring disease change over time, resulting in large and long clinical trials. We tested the hypothesis that sensors worn continuously at home during natural behaviour and a web-based computer mouse task performed at home could produce interpretable, meaningful and reliable motor measures for potential use in clinical trials. Thirty-four individuals with degenerative ataxias (spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, 3 and 6 and multiple system atrophy of the cerebellar type) and eight age-matched controls completed the cross-sectional study. Participants wore an ankle and wrist sensor continuously at home for 1 week and completed the Hevelius computer mouse task eight times over 4 weeks. We examined properties of motor primitives called 'submovements' derived from the continuous wearable sensors and properties of computer mouse clicks and trajectories in relationship to patient-reported measures of function (Patient-Reported Outcome Measure of Ataxia) and ataxia rating scales (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia and the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale). The test-retest reliability of digital measures and differences between ataxia and control participants were evaluated. Individuals with ataxia had smaller, slower and less powerful ankle submovements during natural behaviour at home. A composite measure based on ankle submovements strongly correlated with ataxia rating scale scores (Pearson's r = 0.82-0.88), strongly correlated with self-reported function (r = 0.81), had high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95) and distinguished ataxia and control participants, including preataxic individuals (n = 4) from controls. A composite measure based on computer mouse movements and clicks strongly correlated with ataxia rating scale total (r = 0.86-0.88) and arm scores (r = 0.65-0.75), correlated well with self-reported function (r = 0.72-0.73) and had high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99). These data indicate that interpretable, meaningful and highly reliable motor measures can be obtained from continuous measurement of natural movement, particularly at the ankle location, and from computer mouse movements during a simple point-and-click task performed at home. This study supports the use of these two inexpensive and easy-to-use technologies in longitudinal natural history studies in spinocerebellar ataxias and multiple system atrophy of the cerebellar type and shows promise as potential motor outcome measures in interventional trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Eklund
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jessey Ouillon
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Vineet Pandey
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Christopher D Stephen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Ataxia Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jeremy D Schmahmann
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Ataxia Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Krzysztof Z Gajos
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Anoopum S Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Ataxia Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wearable device and smartphone data quantify ALS progression and may provide novel outcome measures. NPJ Digit Med 2023; 6:34. [PMID: 36879025 PMCID: PMC9987377 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-023-00778-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapeutic development has largely relied on staff-administered functional rating scales to determine treatment efficacy. We sought to determine if mobile applications (apps) and wearable devices can be used to quantify ALS disease progression through active (surveys) and passive (sensors) data collection. Forty ambulatory adults with ALS were followed for 6-months. The Beiwe app was used to administer the self-entry ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-RSE) and the Rasch Overall ALS Disability Scale (ROADS) surveys every 2-4 weeks. Each participant used a wrist-worn activity monitor (ActiGraph Insight Watch) or an ankle-worn activity monitor (Modus StepWatch) continuously. Wearable device wear and app survey compliance were adequate. ALSFRS-R highly correlated with ALSFRS-RSE. Several wearable data daily physical activity measures demonstrated statistically significant change over time and associations with ALSFRS-RSE and ROADS. Active and passive digital data collection hold promise for novel ALS trial outcome measure development.
Collapse
|
19
|
Lee K, Cheongho Lee T, Yefimova M, Kumar S, Puga F, Azuero A, Kamal A, Bakitas MA, Wright AA, Demiris G, Ritchie CS, Pickering CE, Nicholas Dionne-Odom J. Using Digital phenotyping to understand health-related outcomes: A scoping review. Int J Med Inform 2023; 174:105061. [PMID: 37030145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital phenotyping may detect changes in health outcomes and potentially lead to proactive measures to mitigate health declines and avoid major medical events. While health-related outcomes have traditionally been acquired through self-report measures, those approaches have numerous limitations, such as recall bias, and social desirability bias. Digital phenotyping may offer a potential solution to these limitations. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and summarize how passive smartphone data are processed and evaluated analytically, including the relationship between these data and health-related outcomes. METHODS A search of PubMed, Scopus, Compendex, and HTA databases was conducted for all articles in April 2021 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 40 articles were included and went through an analysis based on data collection approaches, feature extraction, data analytics, behavioral markers, and health-related outcomes. This review demonstrated a layer of features derived from raw sensor data that can then be integrated to estimate and predict behaviors, emotions, and health-related outcomes. Most studies collected data from a combination of sensors. GPS was the most used digital phenotyping data. Feature types included physical activity, location, mobility, social activity, sleep, and in-phone activity. Studies involved a broad range of the features used: data preprocessing, analysis approaches, analytic techniques, and algorithms tested. 55% of the studies (n = 22) focused on mental health-related outcomes. CONCLUSION This scoping review catalogued in detail the research to date regarding the approaches to using passive smartphone sensor data to derive behavioral markers to correlate with or predict health-related outcomes. Findings will serve as a central resource for researchers to survey the field of research designs and approaches performed to date and move this emerging domain of research forward towards ultimately providing clinical utility in patient care.
Collapse
|
20
|
Walk D, Nicholson K, Locatelli E, Chan J, Macklin EA, Ferment V, Manousakis G, Chase M, Connolly M, Dagostino D, Hall M, Ostrow J, Pothier L, Lieberman C, Gelevski D, Randall R, Sherman AV, Steinhart E, Walker DG, Walker J, Yu H, Wills AM, Schwarzschild MA, Beukenhorst AL, Onnela JP, Berry JD, Cudkowicz ME, Paganoni S. Randomized trial of inosine for urate elevation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:378-386. [PMID: 36840949 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Higher urate levels are associated with improved ALS survival in retrospective studies, however whether raising urate levels confers a survival advantage is unknown. In the Safety of Urate Elevation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (SURE-ALS) trial, inosine raised serum urate and was safe and well-tolerated. The SURE-ALS2 trial was designed to assess longer term safety. Functional outcomes and a smartphone application were also explored. METHODS Participants were randomized 2:1 to inosine (n = 14) or placebo (n = 9) for 20 weeks, titrated to serum urate of 7-8 mg/dL. Primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Functional outcomes were measured with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R). Mobility and ALSFRS-R were also assessed by a smartphone application. RESULTS During inosine treatment, mean urate ranged 5.68-6.82 mg/dL. Treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) incidence was similar between groups (p > .10). Renal TEAEs occurred in three (21%) and hypertension in one (7%) of participants randomized to inosine. Inosine was tolerated in 71% of participants versus placebo 67%. Two participants (14%) in the inosine group experienced TEAEs deemed related to treatment (nephrolithiasis); one was a severe adverse event. Mean ALSFRS-R decline did not differ between groups (p = .69). Change in measured home time was similar between groups. Digital and in-clinic ALSFRS-R correlated well. DISCUSSION Inosine met pre-specified criteria for safety and tolerability. A functional benefit was not demonstrated in this trial designed for safety and tolerability. Findings suggested potential utility for a smartphone application in ALS clinical and research settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Walk
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Katharine Nicholson
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eduardo Locatelli
- Department of Neurology, Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - James Chan
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric A Macklin
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Valerie Ferment
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Georgios Manousakis
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marianne Chase
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariah Connolly
- Clinical Research Organization, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Derek Dagostino
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meghan Hall
- Clinical Research Organization, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Joseph Ostrow
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lindsay Pothier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cassandra Lieberman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dario Gelevski
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Randall
- Clinical Research Organization, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Alexander V Sherman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Steinhart
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniela Grasso Walker
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason Walker
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Wills
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael A Schwarzschild
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Beukenhorst
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Simmatis LER, Robin J, Pommée T, McKinlay S, Sran R, Taati N, Truong J, Koyani B, Yunusova Y. Validation of automated pipeline for the assessment of a motor speech disorder in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231219102. [PMID: 38144173 PMCID: PMC10748679 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231219102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) frequently causes speech impairments, which can be valuable early indicators of decline. Automated acoustic assessment of speech in ALS is attractive, and there is a pressing need to validate such tools in line with best practices, including analytical and clinical validation. We hypothesized that data analysis using a novel speech assessment pipeline would correspond strongly to analyses performed using lab-standard practices and that acoustic features from the novel pipeline would correspond to clinical outcomes of interest in ALS. Methods We analyzed data from three standard speech assessment tasks (i.e., vowel phonation, passage reading, and diadochokinesis) in 122 ALS patients. Data were analyzed automatically using a pipeline developed by Winterlight Labs, which yielded 53 acoustic features. First, for analytical validation, data were analyzed using a lab-standard analysis pipeline for comparison. This was followed by univariate analysis (Spearman correlations between individual features in Winterlight and in-lab datasets) and multivariate analysis (sparse canonical correlation analysis (SCCA)). Subsequently, clinical validation was performed. This included univariate analysis (Spearman correlation between automated acoustic features and clinical measures) and multivariate analysis (interpretable autoencoder-based dimensionality reduction). Results Analytical validity was demonstrated by substantial univariate correlations (Spearman's ρ > 0.70) between corresponding pairs of features from automated and lab-based datasets, as well as interpretable SCCA feature groups. Clinical validity was supported by strong univariate correlations between automated features and clinical measures (Spearman's ρ > 0.70), as well as associations between multivariate outputs and clinical measures. Conclusion This novel, automated speech assessment feature set demonstrates substantial promise as a valid tool for analyzing impaired speech in ALS patients and for the further development of these technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leif ER Simmatis
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Timothy Pommée
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scotia McKinlay
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rupinder Sran
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Niyousha Taati
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justin Truong
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Yana Yunusova
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Differentiated mental health patterns in pregnancy during COVID-19 first two waves in Sweden: a mixed methods study using digital phenotyping. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21253. [PMID: 36481663 PMCID: PMC9731976 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To utilize modern tools to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, wellbeing and life conditions in pregnant women during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Pregnant women (n = 1577) were recruited through the mobile application Mom2B. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and wellbeing were assessed during January 2020-February 2021. Movement data was collected using the phone's sensor. Data on Google search volumes for "Corona" and Covid-related deaths were obtained. Qualitative analysis of free text responses regarding maternity care was performed. Two peaks were seen for depressive symptoms, corresponding to the two waves. Higher prevalence of anxiety was only noted during the first wave. A moderating effect of the two waves in the association of depression, anxiety, and well-being with Covid deaths was noted; positive associations during the first wave and attenuated or became negative during the second wave. Throughout, women reported on cancelled healthcare appointments and worry about partners not being allowed in hospital. The association of mental health outcomes with relevant covariates may vary during the different phases in a pandemic, possibly due to adaptation strategies on a personal and societal/healthcare level. Digital phenotyping can help healthcare providers and governmental bodies to in real time monitor high-risk groups during crises, and to adjust the support offered.
Collapse
|
23
|
Beswick E, Fawcett T, Hassan Z, Forbes D, Dakin R, Newton J, Abrahams S, Carson A, Chandran S, Perry D, Pal S. A systematic review of digital technology to evaluate motor function and disease progression in motor neuron disease. J Neurol 2022; 269:6254-6268. [PMID: 35945397 PMCID: PMC9363141 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common subtype of motor neuron disease (MND). The current gold-standard measure of progression is the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALS-FRS(R)), a clinician-administered questionnaire providing a composite score on physical functioning. Technology offers a potential alternative for assessing motor progression in both a clinical and research capacity that is more sensitive to detecting smaller changes in function. We reviewed studies evaluating the utility and suitability of these devices to evaluate motor function and disease progression in people with MND (pwMND). We systematically searched Google Scholar, PubMed and EMBASE applying no language or date restrictions. We extracted information on devices used and additional assessments undertaken. Twenty studies, involving 1275 (median 28 and ranging 6-584) pwMND, were included. Sensor type included accelerometers (n = 9), activity monitors (n = 4), smartphone apps (n = 4), gait (n = 3), kinetic sensors (n = 3), electrical impedance myography (n = 1) and dynamometers (n = 2). Seventeen (85%) of studies used the ALS-FRS(R) to evaluate concurrent validity. Participant feedback on device utility was generally positive, where evaluated in 25% of studies. All studies showed initial feasibility, warranting larger longitudinal studies to compare device sensitivity and validity beyond ALS-FRS(R). Risk of bias in the included studies was high, with a large amount of information to determine study quality unclear. Measurement of motor pathology and progression using technology is an emerging, and promising, area of MND research. Further well-powered longitudinal validation studies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Beswick
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Thomas Fawcett
- The School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Zack Hassan
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Deborah Forbes
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Rachel Dakin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Judith Newton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Human Cognitive Neurosciences, Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Alan Carson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - David Perry
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. .,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, The University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK. .,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rowe HP, Gochyyev P, Lammert AC, Lowit A, Spencer KA, Dickerson BC, Berry JD, Green JR. The efficacy of acoustic-based articulatory phenotyping for characterizing and classifying four divergent neurodegenerative diseases using sequential motion rates. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:1487-1511. [PMID: 36305960 PMCID: PMC9859630 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02550-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the impacts of neurodegeneration on speech function, little is known about how to comprehensively characterize the resulting speech abnormalities using a set of objective measures. Quantitative phenotyping of speech motor impairments may have important implications for identifying clinical syndromes and their underlying etiologies, monitoring disease progression over time, and improving treatment efficacy. The goal of this research was to investigate the validity and classification accuracy of comprehensive acoustic-based articulatory phenotypes in speakers with distinct neurodegenerative diseases. Articulatory phenotypes were characterized based on acoustic features that were selected to represent five components of motor performance: Coordination, Consistency, Speed, Precision, and Rate. The phenotypes were first used to characterize the articulatory abnormalities across four progressive neurologic diseases known to have divergent speech motor deficits: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive ataxia (PA), Parkinson's disease (PD), and the nonfluent variant of primary progressive aphasia and progressive apraxia of speech (nfPPA + PAOS). We then examined the efficacy of articulatory phenotyping for disease classification. Acoustic analyses were conducted on audio recordings of 217 participants (i.e., 46 ALS, 52 PA, 60 PD, 20 nfPPA + PAOS, and 39 controls) during a sequential speech task. Results revealed evidence of distinct articulatory phenotypes for the four clinical groups and that the phenotypes demonstrated strong classification accuracy for all groups except ALS. Our results highlight the phenotypic variability present across neurodegenerative diseases, which, in turn, may inform (1) the differential diagnosis of neurological diseases and (2) the development of sensitive outcome measures for monitoring disease progression or assessing treatment efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah P Rowe
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Perman Gochyyev
- School of Healthcare Leadership, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA
- Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Adam C Lammert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Anja Lowit
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Kristie A Spencer
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bradford C Dickerson
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan R Green
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Boyce D, Robinson M, Cedarbaum JM, Shank LM, McDermott CJ, van Eijk RPA. A qualitative evaluation of the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) by the patient community: a web-based cross-sectional survey. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:272-280. [PMID: 36330850 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2140592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) is the most commonly used outcome measure in ALS studies. The aim of this study was to identify potential limitations of the ALSFRS-R from the perspective of people living with ALS and their caregivers. METHODS A web-based survey was developed by investigators, people living with ALS, and their caregivers, and shared across social media. For each item, participants were asked, "Can you think of a situation where you might not be able to answer this item accurately or that your answer might not reflect your abilities?" Responses were divided into two categories: criticisms that could be addressed in a manual or issues with the items/responses that would require measure modification. RESULTS 57 participants (72% participants with ALS, 28% caregivers) responded to at least one item question, of which 71.9% expressed concern about at least one item. The most frequently identified items were speech, walking, and cutting food. Common criticisms were: language used is of a medical literacy level too high; item is situational; difficult to distinguish the difference between response choices; and the structure and/or underlying assumptions of the item makes it difficult to answer. CONCLUSIONS Several items of the ALSFRS-R were considered to inaccurately reflect the abilities of patients with ALS. The ALSFRS-R may need a revision to address these issues, preferably in co-development with people living with ALS and their caregivers, and/or alternate outcome measures should be considered for patients with ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Boyce
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jesse M. Cedarbaum
- Coeruleus Clinical Sciences, Woodbridge, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Ruben P. A. van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC, Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Johnson SA, Burke KM, Scheier ZA, Keegan MA, Clark AP, Chan J, Fournier CN, Berry JD. Longitudinal comparison of the self-entry Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-RSE) and Rasch-Built Overall Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disability Scale (ROADS) as outcome measures in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:495-502. [PMID: 35904151 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Improved functional outcome measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) would aid ALS trial design and help hasten drug discovery. We evaluate the longitudinal performance of the Rasch-Built Overall Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disability Scale (ROADS) compared to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised for Self-Entry (ALSFRS-RSE) as patient reported outcomes of functional status in people with ALS. METHODS Participants completed the ROADS and the ALSFRS-RSE questionnaires at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12- mo using Research Electronic Data Capture as part of a prospective, longitudinal, remote, online survey study of fatigue in ALS from 9/2020 to 12/2021. The scales were compared cross-sectionally (at baseline) and longitudinally. Correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and descriptive statistics were assessed. RESULTS A total of 182 adults with ALS consented to the study. This volunteer sample was comprised of predominantly White, non-Hispanic, non-smoking participants. Consented participant survey completion was approximately 90% at baseline and greater than 40% at 12 mo. The ALSFRS-RSE and the ROADS had high, significant agreement at 3 and 6 mo by Cohen's kappa ≥71% (p < 0.001); the number of functional increases or plateaus on the two scales were not significantly different; and the coefficient of variation of functional decline was similar at the 6-month mark, though higher for the ROADS at 3 mo and lower at 12 mo. DISCUSSION Although the ROADS performed similarly to the ALSFRS-RSE in an observational cohort, it has psychometric advantages, such as Rasch-modeling and unidimensionality. It merits further investigation as a patient reported outcome of overall disability and efficacy outcome measure in ALS trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Johnson
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine M Burke
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zoe A Scheier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mackenzie A Keegan
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison P Clark
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Chan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina N Fournier
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Neurology, Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hackett K, Giovannetti T. Capturing Cognitive Aging in Vivo: Application of a Neuropsychological Framework for Emerging Digital Tools. JMIR Aging 2022; 5:e38130. [PMID: 36069747 PMCID: PMC9494215 DOI: 10.2196/38130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global burden of dementia continues to plague our healthcare systems, efficient, objective, and sensitive tools to detect neurodegenerative disease and capture meaningful changes in everyday cognition are increasingly needed. Emerging digital tools present a promising option to address many drawbacks of current approaches, with contexts of use that include early detection, risk stratification, prognosis, and outcome measurement. However, conceptual models to guide hypotheses and interpretation of results from digital tools are lacking and are needed to sort and organize the large amount of continuous data from a variety of sensors. In this viewpoint, we propose a neuropsychological framework for use alongside a key emerging approach-digital phenotyping. The Variability in Everyday Behavior (VIBE) model is rooted in established trends from the neuropsychology, neurology, rehabilitation psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and computer science literature and links patterns of intraindividual variability, cognitive abilities, and everyday functioning across clinical stages from healthy to dementia. Based on the VIBE model, we present testable hypotheses to guide the design and interpretation of digital phenotyping studies that capture everyday cognition in vivo. We conclude with methodological considerations and future directions regarding the application of the digital phenotyping approach to improve the efficiency, accessibility, accuracy, and ecological validity of cognitive assessment in older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hackett
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tania Giovannetti
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Meyer T, Spittel S, Grehl T, Weyen U, Steinbach R, Kettemann D, Petri S, Weydt P, Günther R, Baum P, Schlapakow E, Koch JC, Boentert M, Wolf J, Grosskreutz J, Rödiger A, Ilse B, Metelmann M, Norden J, Koc RY, Körtvélyessy P, Riitano A, Walter B, Hildebrandt B, Schaudinn F, Münch C, Maier A. Remote digital assessment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale - a multicenter observational study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:175-184. [PMID: 35912984 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2104649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Remote self-assessment of the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) using digital data capture was investigated for its feasibility as an add-on to ALSFRS-R assessments during multidisciplinary clinic visits. Methods: From August 2017 to December 2021, at 12 ALS centers in Germany, an observational study on remote assessment of the ALSFRS-R was performed. In addition to the assessment of ALSFRS-R during clinic visits, patients were offered a digital self-assessment of the ALSFRS-R - either on a computer or on a mobile application ("ALS-App"). Results: An estimated multicenter cohort of 4,670 ALS patients received care at participating ALS centers. Of these patients, 971 remotely submitted the ALSFRS-R, representing 21% of the multicenter cohort. Of those who opted for remote assessment, 53.7% (n = 521) completed a minimum of 4 ALSFRS-R per year with a mean number of 10.9 assessments per year. Different assessment frequencies were found for patients using a computer (7.9 per year, n = 857) and mobile app (14.6 per year, n = 234). Patients doing remote assessments were more likely to be male and less functionally impaired but many patients with severe disability managed to complete it themselves or with a caregiver (35% of remote ALSFRS-R cohort in King's Stage 4). Conclusions: In a dedicated ALS center setting remote digital self-assessment of ALSFRS-R can provide substantial data which is complementary and potentially an alternative to clinic assessments and could be used for research purposes and person-level patient management. Addressing barriers relating to patient uptake and adherence are key to its success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Meyer
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Ambulanzpartner Soziotechnologie APST GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Spittel
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Ambulanzpartner Soziotechnologie APST GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Grehl
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
| | - Ute Weyen
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - Robert Steinbach
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Dagmar Kettemann
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Patrick Weydt
- Department for Neurodegenerative Disorders and Gerontopsychiatry, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Research Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Baum
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elena Schlapakow
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jan Christoph Koch
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Boentert
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Neuromuscular Disorders, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wolf
- Department of Neurology, Diako Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Precision Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Annekathrin Rödiger
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ilse
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Moritz Metelmann
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jenny Norden
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruhan Yasemin Koc
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Péter Körtvélyessy
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessio Riitano
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bertram Walter
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Christoph Münch
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Ambulanzpartner Soziotechnologie APST GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Maier
- Department of Neurology, Center for ALS and other Motor Neuron Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital phenotyping has been defined as the moment-by-moment assessment of an illness state through digital means, promising objective, quantifiable data on psychiatric patients' conditions, and could potentially improve diagnosis and management of mental illness. As it is a rapidly growing field, it is to be expected that new literature is being published frequently. OBJECTIVE We conducted this scoping review to assess the current state of literature on digital phenotyping and offer some discussion on the current trends and future direction of this area of research. METHODS We searched four databases, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science, from inception to August 25th, 2021. We included studies written in English that 1) investigated or applied their findings to diagnose psychiatric disorders and 2) utilized passive sensing for management or diagnosis. Protocols were excluded. A narrative synthesis approach was used, due to the heterogeneity and variability in outcomes and outcome types reported. RESULTS Of 10506 unique records identified, we included a total of 107 articles. The number of published studies has increased over tenfold from 2 in 2014 to 28 in 2020, illustrating the field's rapid growth. However, a significant proportion of these (49% of all studies and 87% of primary studies) were proof of concept, pilot or correlational studies examining digital phenotyping's potential. Most (62%) of the primary studies published evaluated individuals with depression (21%), BD (18%) and SZ (23%) (Appendix 1). CONCLUSION There is promise shown in certain domains of data and their clinical relevance, which have yet to be fully elucidated. A consensus has yet to be reached on the best methods of data collection and processing, and more multidisciplinary collaboration between physicians and other fields is needed to unlock the full potential of digital phenotyping and allow for statistically powerful clinical trials to prove clinical utility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Z R Chia
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Melvyn W B Zhang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore.,National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore City, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hayden CD, Murphy BP, Hardiman O, Murray D. Measurement of upper limb function in ALS: a structure review of current methods and future directions. J Neurol 2022; 269:4089-4101. [PMID: 35612658 PMCID: PMC9293830 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of upper limb function is critical for tracking clinical severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r) is the primary outcome measure utilised in clinical trials and research in ALS. This scale is limited by floor and ceiling effects within subscales, such that clinically meaningful changes for subjects are often missed, impacting upon the evaluation of new drugs and treatments. Technology has the potential to provide sensitive, objective outcome measurement. This paper is a structured review of current methods and future trends in the measurement of upper limb function with a particular focus on ALS. Technologies that have the potential to radically change the upper limb measurement field and explore the limitations of current technological sensors and solutions in terms of costs and user suitability are discussed. The field is expanding but there remains an unmet need for simple, sensitive and clinically meaningful tests of upper limb function in ALS along with identifying consensus on the direction technology must take to meet this need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C D Hayden
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.
| | - B P Murphy
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - O Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - D Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Beukenhorst AL, Druce KL, De Cock D. Smartphones for musculoskeletal research - hype or hope? Lessons from a decennium of mHealth studies. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:487. [PMID: 35606783 PMCID: PMC9124742 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphones provide opportunities for musculoskeletal research: they are integrated in participants' daily lives and can be used to collect patient-reported outcomes as well as sensor data from large groups of people. As the field of research with smartphones and smartwatches matures, it has transpired that some of the advantages of this modern technology are in fact double-edged swords. BODY: In this narrative review, we illustrate the advantages of using smartphones for data collection with 18 studies from various musculoskeletal domains. We critically appraised existing literature, debunking some myths around the advantages of smartphones: the myth that smartphone studies automatically enable high engagement, that they reach more representative samples, that they cost little, and that sensor data is objective. We provide a nuanced view of evidence in these areas and discuss strategies to increase engagement, to reach representative samples, to reduce costs and to avoid potential sources of subjectivity in analysing sensor data. CONCLUSION If smartphone studies are designed without awareness of the challenges inherent to smartphone use, they may fail or may provide biased results. Keeping participants of smartphone studies engaged longitudinally is a major challenge. Based on prior research, we provide 6 actions by researchers to increase engagement. Smartphone studies often have participants that are younger, have higher incomes and high digital literacy. We provide advice for reaching more representative participant groups, and for ensuring that study conclusions are not plagued by bias resulting from unrepresentative sampling. Costs associated with app development and testing, data storage and analysis, and tech support are substantial, even if studies use a 'bring your own device'-policy. Exchange of information on costs, collective app development and usage of open-source tools would help the musculoskeletal community reduce costs of smartphone studies. In general, transparency and wider adoption of best practices would help bringing smartphone studies to the next level. Then, the community can focus on specific challenges of smartphones in musculoskeletal contexts, such as symptom-related barriers to using smartphones for research, validating algorithms in patient populations with reduced functional ability, digitising validated questionnaires, and methods to reliably quantify pain, quality of life and fatigue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Beukenhorst
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Katie L Druce
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Diederik De Cock
- Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jain FA, Okereke O, Gitlin L, Pedrelli P, Onnela JP, Nyer M, Ramirez Gomez LA, Pittman M, Sikder A, Ursal DJ, Mischoulon D. Mentalizing imagery therapy to augment skills training for dementia caregivers: Protocol for a randomized, controlled trial of a mobile application and digital phenotyping. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 116:106737. [PMID: 35331943 PMCID: PMC9133149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
More than 50 million people worldwide live with a dementia, and most are cared for by family members. Family caregivers often experience chronic stress and insomnia, resulting in decreased mental and physical health. Accessibility of in-person stress reduction therapy is limited due to caregiver time constraints and distance from therapy sites. Mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) provides mindfulness and guided imagery tools to reduce stress, promote self and other understanding, and increase feelings of interconnectedness. Combining MIT with caregiver skills training might enable caregivers to both reduce stress and better utilize newly learned caregiving skills, but this has never been studied. Delivering MIT through a smartphone application (App) has the potential to overcome difficulties with scalability and dissemination and offers caregivers an easy-to-use format. Harnessing passive smartphone data provides an important opportunity to study behavioral changes continuously and with higher granularity than routine clinical assessments. This protocol describes a randomized, controlled, superiority trial in which 120 family dementia caregivers, aged 60 years or older, will be assigned to smartphone App delivery of caregiver skills with MIT (experimental condition) or without MIT (control condition). The primary objectives of the trial are to assess whether the experimental condition is superior to control on reducing family caregiver stress, insomnia and related outcomes and to demonstrate the feasibility of developing behavioral markers from passive smartphone data that predict health outcomes in older adults. Trial outcomes may inform the suitability of our intervention for caregivers and provide new methods for assessment of older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Jain
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Olivia Okereke
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Gitlin
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paola Pedrelli
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maren Nyer
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liliana A Ramirez Gomez
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Multicultural Alzheimer's Prevention Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Pittman
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abu Sikder
- Innovation Studio, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D J Ursal
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Mischoulon
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Vieira FG, Venugopalan S, Premasiri AS, McNally M, Jansen A, McCloskey K, Brenner MP, Perrin S. A machine-learning based objective measure for ALS disease severity. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:45. [PMID: 35396385 PMCID: PMC8993812 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00588-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease severity is usually measured using the subjective, questionnaire-based revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Objective measures of disease severity would be powerful tools for evaluating real-world drug effectiveness, efficacy in clinical trials, and for identifying participants for cohort studies. We developed a machine learning (ML) based objective measure for ALS disease severity based on voice samples and accelerometer measurements from a four-year longitudinal dataset. 584 people living with ALS consented and carried out prescribed speaking and limb-based tasks. 542 participants contributed 5814 voice recordings, and 350 contributed 13,009 accelerometer samples, while simultaneously measuring ALSFRS-R scores. Using these data, we trained ML models to predict bulbar-related and limb-related ALSFRS-R scores. On the test set (n = 109 participants) the voice models achieved a multiclass AUC of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.85-0.88) on speech ALSFRS-R prediction, whereas the accelerometer models achieved a median multiclass AUC of 0.73 on 6 limb-related functions. The correlations across functions observed in self-reported ALSFRS-R scores were preserved in ML-derived scores. We used these models and self-reported ALSFRS-R scores to evaluate the real-world effects of edaravone, a drug approved for use in ALS. In the cohort of 54 test participants who received edaravone as part of their usual care, the ML-derived scores were consistent with the self-reported ALSFRS-R scores. At the individual level, the continuous ML-derived score can capture gradual changes that are absent in the integer ALSFRS-R scores. This demonstrates the value of these tools for assessing disease severity and, potentially, drug effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maeve McNally
- ALS Therapy Development Institute, Watertown, MA, USA
| | - Aren Jansen
- Google Research, Google, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael P Brenner
- Google Research, Google, Mountain View, CA, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven Perrin
- ALS Therapy Development Institute, Watertown, MA, USA
- Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ghasemi M, Emerson CP, Hayward LJ. Outcome Measures in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trials. Cells 2022; 11:687. [PMID: 35203336 PMCID: PMC8870318 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a debilitating muscular dystrophy with a variable age of onset, severity, and progression. While there is still no cure for this disease, progress towards FSHD therapies has accelerated since the underlying mechanism of epigenetic derepression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene leading to skeletal muscle toxicity was identified. This has facilitated the rapid development of novel therapies to target DUX4 expression and downstream dysregulation that cause muscle degeneration. These discoveries and pre-clinical translational studies have opened new avenues for therapies that await evaluation in clinical trials. As the field anticipates more FSHD trials, the need has grown for more reliable and quantifiable outcome measures of muscle function, both for early phase and phase II and III trials. Advanced tools that facilitate longitudinal clinical assessment will greatly improve the potential of trials to identify therapeutics that successfully ameliorate disease progression or permit muscle functional recovery. Here, we discuss current and emerging FSHD outcome measures and the challenges that investigators may experience in applying such measures to FSHD clinical trial design and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Charles P. Emerson
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Lawrence J. Hayward
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kilgallon JL, Tewarie IA, Broekman MLD, Rana A, Smith TR. Passive Data Use for Ethical Digital Public Health Surveillance in a Postpandemic World. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e30524. [PMID: 35166676 PMCID: PMC8889482 DOI: 10.2196/30524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a fundamental need to establish the most ethical and effective way of tracking disease in the postpandemic era. The ubiquity of mobile phones is generating large amounts of passive data (collected without active user participation) that can be used as a tool for tracking disease. Although discussions of pragmatism or economic issues tend to guide public health decisions, ethical issues are the foremost public concern. Thus, officials must look to history and current moral frameworks to avoid past mistakes and ethical pitfalls. Past pandemics demonstrate that the aftermath is the most effective time to make health policy decisions. However, an ethical discussion of passive data use for digital public health surveillance has yet to be attempted, and little has been done to determine the best method to do so. Therefore, we aim to highlight four potential areas of ethical opportunity and challenge: (1) informed consent, (2) privacy, (3) equity, and (4) ownership.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John L Kilgallon
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ishaan Ashwini Tewarie
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Faculty of Medicine, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marike L D Broekman
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Aakanksha Rana
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Timothy R Smith
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Beukenhorst AL, Burke KM, Scheier Z, Miller TM, Paganoni S, Keegan M, Collins E, Connaghan KP, Tay A, Chan J, Berry JD, Onnela JP. Using Smartphones to Reduce Research Burden in a Neurodegenerative Population and Assessing Participant Adherence: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Two Observational Studies. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e31877. [PMID: 35119373 PMCID: PMC8857693 DOI: 10.2196/31877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smartphone studies provide an opportunity to collect frequent data at a low burden on participants. Therefore, smartphones may enable data collection from people with progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at high frequencies for a long duration. However, the progressive decline in patients’ cognitive and functional abilities could also hamper the feasibility of collecting patient-reported outcomes, audio recordings, and location data in the long term. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the completeness of survey data, audio recordings, and passively collected location data from 3 smartphone-based studies of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods We analyzed data completeness in three studies: 2 observational cohort studies (study 1: N=22; duration=12 weeks and study 2: N=49; duration=52 weeks) and 1 clinical trial (study 3: N=49; duration=20 weeks). In these studies, participants were asked to complete weekly surveys; weekly audio recordings; and in the background, the app collected sensor data, including location data. For each of the three studies and each of the three data streams, we estimated time-to-discontinuation using the Kaplan–Meier method. We identified predictors of app discontinuation using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. We quantified data completeness for both early dropouts and participants who remained engaged for longer. Results Time-to-discontinuation was shortest in the year-long observational study and longest in the clinical trial. After 3 months in the study, most participants still completed surveys and audio recordings: 77% (17/22) in study 1, 59% (29/49) in study 2, and 96% (22/23) in study 3. After 3 months, passively collected location data were collected for 95% (21/22), 86% (42/49), and 100% (23/23) of the participants. The Cox regression did not provide evidence that demographic characteristics or disease severity at baseline were associated with attrition, although it was somewhat underpowered. The mean data completeness was the highest for passively collected location data. For most participants, data completeness declined over time; mean data completeness was typically lower in the month before participants dropped out. Moreover, data completeness was lower for people who dropped out in the first study month (very few data points) compared with participants who adhered long term (data completeness fluctuating around 75%). Conclusions These three studies successfully collected smartphone data longitudinally from a neurodegenerative population. Despite patients’ progressive physical and cognitive decline, time-to-discontinuation was higher than in typical smartphone studies. Our study provides an important benchmark for participant engagement in a neurodegenerative population. To increase data completeness, collecting passive data (such as location data) and identifying participants who are likely to adhere during the initial phase of a study can be useful. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03168711; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03168711
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Beukenhorst
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.,Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine M Burke
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zoe Scheier
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Timothy M Miller
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mackenzie Keegan
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ella Collins
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Anna Tay
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - James Chan
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Internet-connected devices, including personal computers, smartphones, smartwatches, and voice assistants, have evolved into powerful multisensor technologies that billions of people interact with daily to connect with friends and colleagues, access and share information, purchase goods, play games, and navigate their environment. Digital phenotyping taps into the data streams captured by these devices to characterize and understand health and disease. The purpose of this article is to summarize opportunities for digital phenotyping in neurology, review studies using everyday technologies to obtain motor and cognitive information, and provide a perspective on how neurologists can embrace and accelerate progress in this emerging field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anoopum S. Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hartmaier SL, Rhodes T, Cook SF, Schlusser C, Chen C, Han S, Zach N, Murthy V, Davé S. Qualitative measures that assess functional disability and quality of life in ALS. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20:12. [PMID: 35062955 PMCID: PMC8781297 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-022-01919-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selection of appropriate trial endpoints and outcome measures is particularly important in rare disease and rapidly progressing disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) where the challenges to conducting clinical trials, are substantial: patient and disease heterogeneity, limited understanding of exact disease pathophysiology, and lack of robust and available biomarkers. To address these challenges in ALS, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised version (ALSFRS-R) was developed and has become a key primary endpoint in ALS clinical trials to assess functional disability and disease progression, often replacing survival as a primary outcome. However, increased understanding of the ALS disease journey and improvements in assistive technology for ALS patients have exposed issues with the ALSFRS-R, including non-linearity, multidimensionality and floor and ceiling effects that could challenge its continued utility as a primary outcome measure in ALS clinical trials. Recently, other qualitative scale measures of functioning disability have been developed to help address these issues. With this in mind, we conducted a literature search aimed at identifying both established and promising new measures for potential use in clinical trials. METHODS We searched PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and the reference sections of key studies to identify papers that discussed qualitative measures of functional status for potential use in ALS studies. We also searched clinicaltrials.gov to identify functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures that have been used in ALS interventional studies. RESULTS In addition to the ALSFRS-R, we identified several newer qualitative scales including ALSFRS-EX, ALS-MITOS, CNS-BFS, DALS-15, MND-DS, and ROADS. Strengths and limitations of each measure were identified and discussed, along with their potential to act as a primary or secondary outcome to assess patient functional status in ALS clinical trials. CONCLUSION This paper serves as a reference guide for researchers deciding which qualitative measures to use as endpoints in their ALS clinical trials to assess functional status. This paper also discusses the importance of including ALS HRQoL and ALS cognitive screens in future clinical trials to assess the value of a new ALS therapy more comprehensively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Courtney Schlusser
- CERobs Consulting, LLC, Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chao Chen
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steve Han
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neta Zach
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Shreya Davé
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Montes J, Eichinger KJ, Pasternak A, Yochai C, Krosschell KJ. A post pandemic roadmap toward remote assessment for neuromuscular disorders: limitations and opportunities. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:5. [PMID: 34983609 PMCID: PMC8726521 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02165-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in technology and expanding therapeutic opportunities in neuromuscular disorders has resulted in greater interest in and development of remote assessments. Over the past year, the rapid and abrupt COVID-19 shutdowns and stay-at-home orders imposed challenges to routine clinical management and clinical trials. As in-person services were severely limited, clinicians turned to remote assessments through telehealth to allow for continued care. Typically, disease-specific clinical outcome assessments (COAs) for neuromuscular disorders (NMD) are developed over many years through rigorous and iterative processes to fully understand their psychometric properties. While efforts were underway towards developing remote assessments for NMD before the pandemic, few if any were fully developed or validated. These included assessments of strength, respiratory function and patient-reported outcomes, as well as wearable technology and other devices to quantify physical activity and function. Without many choices, clinicians modified COAs for a virtual environment recognizing it was not yet known how they compared to standard in-person administration. Despite being able to quickly adapt to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, these experiences with remote assessments uncovered limitations and opportunities. It became clear that existing COAs required modifications for use in a virtual environment limiting the interpretation of the information gathered. Still, the opportunity for real-world evaluation and reduced patient burden were clear benefits to remote assessment and may provide a more robust understanding and characterization of disease impact in NMD. Hence, we propose a roadmap navigating an informed post-pandemic path toward development and implementation of safe and successful use of remote assessments for patients with NMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Montes
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 617 West 168th Street, Room 347, New York, NY, 10002, USA.
| | - Katy J Eichinger
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Amy Pasternak
- Departments of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services and Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cara Yochai
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Kristin J Krosschell
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Palumbo A, Ielpo N, Calabrese B, Corchiola D, Garropoli R, Gramigna V, Perri G. SIMpLE: A Mobile Cloud-Based System for Health Monitoring of People with ALS. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21217239. [PMID: 34770548 PMCID: PMC8587347 DOI: 10.3390/s21217239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Adopting telemonitoring services during the pandemic for people affected by chronic disease is fundamental to ensure access to health care services avoiding the risk of COVID-19 infection. Among chronic diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of adulthood, caused by the loss of spinal, bulbar and cortical motor neurons, which leads to paralysis of the voluntary muscles and, also, involves respiratory ones. Therefore, remote monitoring and teleconsulting are essential services for ALS patients with limited mobility, as the disease progresses, and for those living far from ALS centres and hospitals. In addition, the COVID 19 pandemic has increased the need to remotely provide the best care to patients, avoiding infection during ALS centre visits. The paper illustrates an innovative, secure medical monitoring and teleconsultation mobile cloud-based system for disabled people, such as those with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The design aims to remotely monitor biosignals, such as ECG (electrocardiographic) and EMG (electromyographic) signals of ALS patients in order to prevent complications related to the pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arrigo Palumbo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.P.); (N.I.)
| | - Nicola Ielpo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.P.); (N.I.)
| | - Barbara Calabrese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.P.); (N.I.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Remo Garropoli
- Garropoli Computer Science Consulting, 87100 Cosenza, Italy;
| | - Vera Gramigna
- Neuroscience Research Center, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Perri
- Radiological Center Perri-Bilotti, 87100 Cosenza, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chiò A, Canosa A, Calvo A, Moglia C, Cicolin A, Mora G. Developments in the assessment of non-motor disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:1419-1440. [PMID: 34554894 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1984883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The burden of non-motor symptoms is a major determinant of quality of life and outcome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has profound negative effect also on caregivers. AREAS COVERED Non-motor symptoms in ALS include cognitive impairment, neurobehavioral symptoms, depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, pain, disordered sleep, fatigue, weight loss and reduced appetite, and autonomic dysfunctions. This review summarizes the measures used for the assessment of non-motor symptoms and their properties and recaps the frequency and progression of these symptoms along the course of ALS. EXPERT OPINION Non-motor symptoms in ALS represent a major component of the disease and span over several domains. These symptoms require a high level of medical attention and should be checked at each visit using ad hoc questionnaires and proactively treated. Several instruments assessing non-motor symptoms have been used in ALS. Specific screening questionnaires for non-motor symptoms can be used for monitoring patients during telehealth visits and for remote surveillance through sensors and apps installed on smartphones. Novel trials for non-motor symptoms treatment specifically designed for ALS are necessary to increase and refine the therapeutic armamentarium. Finally, scales assessing the most frequent and burdensome non-motor symptoms should be included in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliera Città Della Salute E Della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliera Città Della Salute E Della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliera Città Della Salute E Della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliera Città Della Salute E Della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cicolin
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Sleep Medicine Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Città Della Salute E Della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- Neurorehabilitation Department, Ics Maugeri Irccs, Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Khan NC, Pandey V, Gajos KZ, Gupta AS. Free-Living Motor Activity Monitoring in Ataxia-Telangiectasia. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 21:368-379. [PMID: 34302287 PMCID: PMC8302464 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
With disease-modifying approaches under evaluation in ataxia-telangiectasia and other ataxias, there is a need for objective and reliable biomarkers of free-living motor function. In this study, we test the hypothesis that metrics derived from a single wrist sensor worn at home provide accurate, reliable, and interpretable information about neurological disease severity in children with A-T. A total of 15 children with A-T and 15 age- and sex-matched controls wore a sensor with a triaxial accelerometer on their dominant wrist for 1 week at home. Activity intensity measures, derived from the sensor data, were compared with in-person neurological evaluation on the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) and performance on a validated computer mouse task. Children with A-T were inactive the same proportion of each day as controls but produced more low intensity movements (p < 0.01; Cohen’s d = 1.48) and fewer high intensity movements (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.71). The range of activity intensities was markedly reduced in A-T compared to controls (p < 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 2.72). The activity metrics correlated strongly with arm, gait, and total clinical severity (r: 0.71–0.87; p < 0.0001), correlated with specific computer task motor features (r: 0.67–0.92; p < 0.01), demonstrated high reliability (r: 0.86–0.93; p < 0.00001), and were not significantly influenced by age in the healthy control group. Motor activity metrics from a single, inexpensive wrist sensor during free-living behavior provide accurate and reliable information about diagnosis, neurological disease severity, and motor performance. These low-burden measurements are applicable independent of ambulatory status and are potential digital behavioral biomarkers in A-T.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nergis C Khan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vineet Pandey
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Z Gajos
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anoopum S Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Liu G, Onnela JP. Bidirectional imputation of spatial GPS trajectories with missingness using sparse online Gaussian Process. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2021; 28:1777-1784. [PMID: 34100950 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocab069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We propose a bidirectional GPS imputation method that can recover real-world mobility trajectories even when a substantial proportion of the data are missing. The time complexity of our online method is linear in the sample size, and it provides accurate estimates on daily or hourly summary statistics such as time spent at home and distance traveled. MATERIALS AND METHODS To preserve a smartphone's battery, GPS may be sampled only for a small portion of time, frequently <10%, which leads to a substantial missing data problem. We developed an algorithm that simulates an individual's trajectory based on observed GPS location traces using sparse online Gaussian Process to addresses the high computational complexity of the existing method. The method also retains the spherical geometry of the problem, and imputes the missing trajectory in a bidirectional fashion with multiple condition checks to improve accuracy. RESULTS We demonstrated that (1) the imputed trajectories mimic the real-world trajectories, (2) the confidence intervals of summary statistics cover the ground truth in most cases, and (3) our algorithm is much faster than existing methods if we have more than 3 months of observations; (4) we also provide guidelines on optimal sampling strategies. CONCLUSIONS Our approach outperformed existing methods and was significantly faster. It can be used in settings in which data need to be analyzed and acted on continuously, for example, to detect behavioral anomalies that might affect treatment adherence, or to learn about colocations of individuals during an epidemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chew S, Burke KM, Collins E, Church R, Paganoni S, Nicholson K, Babu S, Scalia JB, De Marchi F, Ellrodt AL, Moura LMVR, Chan J, Berry JD. Patient reported outcomes in ALS: characteristics of the self-entry ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:467-477. [PMID: 33771057 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1900259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study characterized two patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): a patient-facing adaptation of the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Functional Rating Scale ("self-entry ALSFRS-R") and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Methods: ALS patients presenting to clinic completed PROMs that included (1) the self-entry ALSFRS-R, (2) the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale), and (3) a question about falls. PROM data were compared to one another and to the traditional ALSFRS-R collected by trained evaluators in clinic ("standard ALSFRS-R"). Results: Over the data collection period, 449 ALS patients completed at least one of the three PROMs. Self-entry vs. standard ALSFRS-R total scores (n = 183) had high agreement (intraclass correlation (ICC)=0.81, 95% CI = 0.67, 0.88). Self-entry ALSFRS-R total scores were significantly higher than standard ALSFRS-R total scores (2.3 points, p < 0.001). In a subset of participants who contributed data at two timepoints, the average ALSFRS-R decline was not significantly different between methods (n = 49). ABC scores correlated highly with self-entry and standard ALSFRS-R Gross Motor subdomain scores (Pearson's r = 0.72, p < 0.001 and Pearson's r = 0.76, p < 0.001, respectively; n = 130). ABC score was negatively correlated with the number of reported falls within the last month (Spearman's r=-0.40; p < 0.001; n = 130). A 10-point decrease in ABC score increased odds of a reported fall by 16%. Conclusions: In a multidisciplinary clinic setting, self-entry and standard ALSFRS-R scores were similar, but not interchangeable. Self-entry scores were higher than standard ALSFRS-R scores but declined at a similar rate to the standard ALSFRS-R. ABC scores correlated with self-reported fall history and thus may provide useful data for clinical care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Chew
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katherine M Burke
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ella Collins
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reagan Church
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA and
| | - Katharine Nicholson
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suma Babu
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Scalia
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy L Ellrodt
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lidia M V R Moura
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Chan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Jayakumar P, Lin E, Galea V, Mathew AJ, Panda N, Vetter I, Haynes AB. Digital Phenotyping and Patient-Generated Health Data for Outcome Measurement in Surgical Care: A Scoping Review. J Pers Med 2020; 10:E282. [PMID: 33333915 PMCID: PMC7765378 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital phenotyping-the moment-by-moment quantification of human phenotypes in situ using data related to activity, behavior, and communications, from personal digital devices, such as smart phones and wearables-has been gaining interest. Personalized health information captured within free-living settings using such technologies may better enable the application of patient-generated health data (PGHD) to provide patient-centered care. The primary objective of this scoping review is to characterize the application of digital phenotyping and digitally captured active and passive PGHD for outcome measurement in surgical care. Secondarily, we synthesize the body of evidence to define specific areas for further work. We performed a systematic search of four bibliographic databases using terms related to "digital phenotyping and PGHD," "outcome measurement," and "surgical care" with no date limits. We registered the study (Open Science Framework), followed strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, performed screening, extraction, and synthesis of results in line with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. A total of 224 studies were included. Published studies have accelerated in the last 5 years, originating in 29 countries (mostly from the USA, n = 74, 33%), featuring original prospective work (n = 149, 66%). Studies spanned 14 specialties, most commonly orthopedic surgery (n = 129, 58%), and had a postoperative focus (n = 210, 94%). Most of the work involved research-grade wearables (n = 130, 58%), prioritizing the capture of activity (n = 165, 74%) and biometric data (n = 100, 45%), with a view to providing a tracking/monitoring function (n = 115, 51%) for the management of surgical patients. Opportunities exist for further work across surgical specialties involving smartphones, communications data, comparison with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), applications focusing on prediction of outcomes, monitoring, risk profiling, shared decision making, and surgical optimization. The rapidly evolving state of the art in digital phenotyping and capture of PGHD offers exciting prospects for outcome measurement in surgical care pending further work and consideration related to clinical care, technology, and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Jayakumar
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (E.L.); (A.J.M.); (A.B.H.)
| | - Eugenia Lin
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (E.L.); (A.J.M.); (A.B.H.)
| | - Vincent Galea
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Abraham J. Mathew
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (E.L.); (A.J.M.); (A.B.H.)
| | - Nikhil Panda
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Imelda Vetter
- Department of Medical Education, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Alex B. Haynes
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (E.L.); (A.J.M.); (A.B.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Beukenhorst AL, Collins E, Burke KM, Rahman SM, Clapp M, Konanki SC, Paganoni S, Miller TM, Chan J, Onnela JP, Berry JD. Smartphone data during the COVID-19 pandemic can quantify behavioral changes in people with ALS. Muscle Nerve 2020; 63:258-262. [PMID: 33118628 PMCID: PMC7898508 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Passive data from smartphone sensors may be useful for health‐care research. Our aim was to use the coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic as a positive control to assess the ability to quantify behavioral changes in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from smartphone data. Methods Eight participants used the Beiwe smartphone application, which passively measured their location during the COVID‐19 outbreak. We used an interrupted time series to quantify the effect of the US state of emergency declaration on daily home time and daily distance traveled. Results After the state of emergency declaration, median daily home time increased from 19.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 15.4‐22.0) hours to 23.7 (IQR, 22.2‐24.0) hours and median distance traveled decreased from 42 (IQR, 13‐83) km to 3.7 (IQR, 1.5‐10.3) km. The participant with the lowest functional ability changed behavior earlier. This participant stayed at home more and traveled less than the participant with highest functional ability, both before and after the state of emergency. Discussion We provide evidence that smartphone‐based digital phenotyping can quantify the behavior of people with ALS. Although participants spent large amounts of time at home at baseline, the COVID‐19 state of emergency declaration reduced their mobility further. Given participants' high level of daily home time, it is possible that their exposure to COVID‐19 could be less than that of the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Beukenhorst
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ella Collins
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine M Burke
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Syed Minhajur Rahman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret Clapp
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sai Charan Konanki
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy M Miller
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - James Chan
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Telemedicine for management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through COVID-19 tail. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:9-13. [PMID: 33025327 PMCID: PMC7538170 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04783-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the last months, due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, containment measures have led to important social restriction. Healthcare systems have faced a complete rearrangement of resources and spaces, with the creation of wards devoted to COVID-19 patients. In this context, patients affected by chronic neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are at risk to be lost at follow-up, leading to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Telemedicine may allow meet the needs of these patients. In this commentary, we briefly discuss the digital tools to remotely monitor and manage ALS patients. Focusing on detecting disease progression and preventing life-threatening conditions, we propose a toolset able to improve ALS management during this unprecedented situation.
Collapse
|
48
|
Allison KM, Cordella C, Iuzzini-Seigel J, Green JR. Differential Diagnosis of Apraxia of Speech in Children and Adults: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2020; 63:2952-2994. [PMID: 32783767 PMCID: PMC7890226 DOI: 10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Despite having distinct etiologies, acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) share the same central diagnostic challenge (i.e., isolating markers specific to an impairment in speech motor planning/programming). The purpose of this review was to evaluate and compare the state of the evidence on approaches to differential diagnosis for AOS and CAS and to identify gaps in each literature that could provide directions for future research aimed to improve clinical diagnosis of these disorders. Method We conducted a scoping review of literature published between 1997 and 2019, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. For both AOS and CAS, literature was charted and summarized around four main methodological approaches to diagnosis: speech symptoms, quantitative speech measures, impaired linguistic-motor processes, and neuroimaging. Results Results showed that similar methodological approaches have been used to study differential diagnosis of apraxia of speech in adults and children; however, the specific measures that have received the most research attention differ between AOS and CAS. Several promising candidate markers for AOS and CAS have been identified; however, few studies report metrics that can be used to assess their diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions Over the past two decades, there has been a proliferation of research identifying potential diagnostic markers of AOS and CAS. In order to improve clinical diagnosis of AOS and CAS, there is a need for studies testing the diagnostic accuracy of multiple candidate markers, better control over language impairment comorbidity, more inclusion of speech-disordered control groups, and an increased focus on translational work moving toward clinical implementation of promising measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M. Allison
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
| | - Claire Cordella
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel
- Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Jordan R. Green
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Huang EJ, Onnela JP. Augmented Movelet Method for Activity Classification Using Smartphone Gyroscope and Accelerometer Data. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E3706. [PMID: 32630752 PMCID: PMC7374287 DOI: 10.3390/s20133706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity, such as walking and ascending stairs, is commonly used in biomedical settings as an outcome or covariate. Researchers have traditionally relied on surveys to quantify activity levels of subjects in both research and clinical settings, but surveys are subjective in nature and have known limitations, such as recall bias. Smartphones provide an opportunity for unobtrusive objective measurement of physical activity in naturalistic settings, but their data tends to be noisy and needs to be analyzed with care. We explored the potential of smartphone accelerometer and gyroscope data to distinguish between walking, sitting, standing, ascending stairs, and descending stairs. We conducted a study in which four participants followed a study protocol and performed a sequence of activities with one phone in their front pocket and another phone in their back pocket. The subjects were filmed throughout, and the obtained footage was annotated to establish moment-by-moment ground truth activity. We introduce a modified version of the so-called movelet method to classify activity type and to quantify the uncertainty present in that classification. Our results demonstrate the promise of smartphones for activity recognition in naturalistic settings, but they also highlight challenges in this field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Huang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106, USA
| | - Jukka-Pekka Onnela
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Govindarajan R, Berry JD, Paganoni S, Pulley MT, Simmons Z. Optimizing telemedicine to facilitate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:321-326. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - James D. Berry
- Department of Neurology and Neurology Clinical Trials UnitMassachusetts General Hospital Boston Massachusetts
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Healey Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, BostonMassachusetts and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of PM&R, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts
| | | | - Zachary Simmons
- Department of NeurologyPenn State Health M.S. Hershey Medical Center Hershey Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|