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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.
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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.
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Helleman J, Johnson B, Holdom C, Hobson E, Murray D, Steyn FJ, Ngo ST, Henders A, Lokeshappa MB, Visser-Meily JMA, van den Berg LH, Hardiman O, Beelen A, McDermott C, van Eijk RPA. Patient perspectives on digital healthcare technology in care and clinical trials for motor neuron disease: an international survey. J Neurol 2022; 269:6003-6013. [PMID: 35849154 PMCID: PMC9294855 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11273-x] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction To capture the patient’s attitude toward remote monitoring of motor neuron disease (MND) in care and clinical trials, and their concerns and preferences regarding the use of digital technology. Methods We performed an international multi-centre survey study in three MND clinics in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The survey was co-developed by investigators and patients with MND, and sent to patients by e-mail or postal-mail. The main topics included: patients’ attitude towards remote care, participating in decentralized clinical trials, and preferences for and concerns with digital technology use. Results In total, 332 patients with MND participated. A majority of patients indicated they would be happy to self-monitor their health from home (69%), be remotely monitored by a multidisciplinary care team (75%), and would be willing to participate in clinical trials from home (65%). Patients considered respiratory function and muscle strength most valuable for home-monitoring. The majority of patients considered the use of at least three devices/apps (75%) once a week (61%) to be acceptable for home-monitoring. Fifteen percent of patients indicated they would not wish to perform home-measurements; reporting concerns about the burden and distress of home-monitoring, privacy and data security. Conclusion Most patients with MND exhibited a positive attitude toward the use of digital technology in both care and clinical trial settings. A subgroup of patients reported concerns with home-monitoring, which should be addressed in order to improve widespread adoption of remote digital technology in clinical MND care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-022-11273-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Helleman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Cory Holdom
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Esther Hobson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Deirdre Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Physiotherapy Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anjali Henders
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Madhura B Lokeshappa
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anita Beelen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chris McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Fournier CN. Considerations for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinical Trial Design. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1180-1192. [PMID: 35819713 PMCID: PMC9275386 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoughtful clinical trial design is critical for efficient therapeutic development, particularly in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where trials often aim to detect modest treatment effects among a population with heterogeneous disease progression. Appropriate outcome measure selection is necessary for trials to provide decisive and informative results. Investigators must consider the outcome measure's reliability, responsiveness to detect change when change has actually occurred, clinical relevance, and psychometric performance. ALS clinical trials can also be performed more efficiently by utilizing statistical enrichment techniques. Innovations in ALS prediction models allow for selection of participants with less heterogeneity in disease progression rates without requiring a lead-in period, or participants can be stratified according to predicted progression. Statistical enrichment can reduce the needed sample size and improve study power, but investigators must find a balance between optimizing statistical efficiency and retaining generalizability of study findings to the broader ALS population. Additional progress is still needed for biomarker development and validation to confirm target engagement in ALS treatment trials. Selection of an appropriate biofluid biomarker depends on the treatment mechanism of interest, and biomarker studies should be incorporated into early phase trials. Inclusion of patients with ALS as advisors and advocates can strengthen clinical trial design and study retention, but more engagement efforts are needed to improve diversity and equity in ALS research studies. Another challenge for ALS therapeutic development is identifying ways to respect patient autonomy and improve access to experimental treatment, something that is strongly desired by many patients with ALS and ALS advocacy organizations. Expanded access programs that run concurrently to well-designed and adequately powered randomized controlled trials may provide an opportunity to broaden access to promising therapeutics without compromising scientific integrity or rushing regulatory approval of therapies without adequate proof of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Fournier
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Bortolani S, Brusa C, Rolle E, Monforte M, De Arcangelis V, Ricci E, Mongini TE, Tasca G. Technology-outcome measures in neuromuscular disorders: a systematic review. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:1266-1278. [PMID: 34962693 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portable and wearable devices can monitor a number of physical performances and have been lately applied to patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). METHODS We performed a systematic search of literature databases following PRISMA principles, including all studies reporting the use of technological devices for motor function assessment in NMDs from 2000 to 2021. We also summarized the evidence on measurement properties (validity, reliability, responsiveness) of the analyzed technological outcome measures. RESULTS One-hundred studies fulfilled the selection criteria, most of them published in the last ten years. We defined four categories that gathered similar technologies: gait analysis tools, for clinical assessment of pace and posture; continuous monitoring of physical activity with inertial sensors, that allow "unsupervised" activity assessment; upper limb evaluation tools, including Kinect-based outcome measures to assess the reachable workspace; and new muscle strength assessment tools, such as Myotools. Inertial sensors have the evident advantage of being applied in the "in-home" setting, which has become especially appealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, although poor evidence from psychometric property assessment and results of the analyzed studies may limit their research application. Both Kinect-based outcome measures and Myotools have been already validated in multicenter studies and different NMDs, showing excellent characteristics for application in clinical trials. CONCLUSION This overview is intended to raise awareness on the potential of the different TOMs in the neuromuscular field and be an informative source for the design of future clinical trials, particularly in the era of telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bortolani
- Department of Neuroscience, Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy.,Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Brusa
- Department of Neuroscience, Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrica Rolle
- Department of Neuroscience, Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Mauro Monforte
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria De Arcangelis
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Ricci
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Enrica Mongini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Cortés-Pérez I, Zagalaz-Anula N, Montoro-Cárdenas D, Lomas-Vega R, Obrero-Gaitán E, Osuna-Pérez MC. Leap Motion Controller Video Game-Based Therapy for Upper Extremity Motor Recovery in Patients with Central Nervous System Diseases. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:2065. [PMID: 33804247 PMCID: PMC7999275 DOI: 10.3390/s21062065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leap Motion Controller (LMC) is a virtual reality device that can be used in the rehabilitation of central nervous system disease (CNSD) motor impairments. This review aimed to evaluate the effect of video game-based therapy with LMC on the recovery of upper extremity (UE) motor function in patients with CNSD. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed in PubMed Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PEDro. We included five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with CNSD in which LMC was used as experimental therapy compared to conventional therapy (CT) to restore UE motor function. Pooled effects were estimated with Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). At first, in patients with stroke, LMC showed low-quality evidence of a large effect on UE mobility (SMD = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.47, 1.45). In combination with CT, LMC showed very low-quality evidence of a large effect on UE mobility (SMD = 1.34; 95% CI = 0.49, 2.19) and the UE mobility-oriented task (SMD = 1.26; 95% CI = 0.42, 2.10). Second, in patients with non-acute CNSD (cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease), LMC showed low-quality evidence of a medium effect on grip strength (GS) (SMD = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.90) and on gross motor dexterity (GMD) (SMD = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.28, 1.17) in the most affected UE. In combination with CT, LMC showed very low-quality evidence of a high effect in the most affected UE on GMD (SMD = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.06, 1.15) and fine motor dexterity (FMD) (SMD = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.07, 1.57). In stroke, LMC improved UE mobility and UE mobility-oriented tasks, and in non-acute CNSD, LMC improved the GS and GMD of the most affected UE and FMD when it was used with CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cortés-Pérez
- Centro Médico “Avenida II”, C/Julio Burell 18, 23700 Linares, Spain;
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
| | - Noelia Zagalaz-Anula
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
| | - Desirée Montoro-Cárdenas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
| | - Rafael Lomas-Vega
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
| | - Esteban Obrero-Gaitán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
| | - María Catalina Osuna-Pérez
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (N.Z.-A.); (D.M.-C.); (R.L.-V.); (M.C.O.-P.)
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