A new method for the measurement of tremor at rest.
This paper establishes a standard method for measuring human tremor. The electronic instrument described is an application of this method. It solves the need for an effective and simple tremor-measuring instrument fit for wide distribution. This instrument consists of a piezoelectric accelerometer connected to an electronic circuit and to an LCD display. The signal is also analysed by a computer after accelerometer analogic/digital conversion in order to test the method. The tremor of 1079 healthy subjects was studied. Spectral analysis showed frequency peaks between 5.85 and 8.80 Hz. Chronic cigarette-smoking and coffee drinking did not modify the tremor as compared with controls. Relaxation session decreased tremor significantly in healthy subjects (P less than 0.01). This new tremor-measuring method opens new horizons in the understanding of physiological and pathological tremor, stress, anxiety and in the means to avoid or compensate them.
Comby
B
B
Laboratoire Orkos-U.R.C.A.H.-Longueville, France.
Chevalier
G
G
Bouchoucha
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012146:Rest; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014202:Tremor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D003069:Coffee; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents