title: A method for quantification of alternate pronation and supination of forearms.
abstract: A method for quantitative evaluation of diadochokinesia test (alternate pronation and supination of forearms) has been developed. Ten parameters that quantify features of movements were established. The method was applied to a group of healthy people and a group of patients with methylmercury poisoning. Significant differences between the two groups were noted in many parameters. To interpret the parameters synthetically, principal component analysis was applied and a scatter diagram on the first two principal components indicated the difference in distribution between the two groups. Among the established parameters, there were six related to regularity. They were combined in a linear form to define a summarized measure for regularity. The measure agreed very well with visual judgment. The obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the method in daily clinical practices.
mesh_terms: D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000506:poisoning; D008875:Middle Aged; D008905:Minicomputers; D009068:Movement
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds