24 hour continuous tremor quantification based on EMG recording.
A new method is described that allows continuous quantification of parkinsonian and essential tremor over a period of up to 24 h on the basis of surface EMG recording from antagonistic forearm muscles. Tremor extraction from EMG data and all other calculations are performed on a digital computer. The occurrence, intensity and frequency of tremor are calculated. The data evaluation is fully automatic, including quality control and elimination of artifacts. Since tremor changes considerably over a 24 h period, long-term quantification gives more reliable data to study diurnal variations and to control the effects of medical treatment on tremor. As an additional advantage tremor recording is not restricted to a laboratory environment. Tremor can be monitored under everyday conditions and in the presence of moderate voluntary EMG activity.
Bacher
M
M
Department of Neurology, University of Tuebingen, F.R.G.
Scholz
E
E
Diener
H C
HC
D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*