Longitudinal assessment of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease using inertial sensors and the Timed Up and Go test.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the predictive validity of a TUG test for falls risk, quantified using body-worn sensors (QTUG) in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). We also sought to examine the inter-session reliability of QTUG sensor measures and their association with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score.

APPROACH: A six-month longitudinal study of 15 patients with Parkinson's disease. Participants were asked to complete a weekly diary recording any falls activity for six months following baseline assessment. Participants were assessed monthly, using a Timed Up and Go test, quantified using body-worn sensors, placed on each leg below the knee.

MAIN RESULTS: The results suggest that the QTUG falls risk estimate recorded at baseline is 73.33% (44.90, 92.21) accurate in predicting falls within 90 days, while the Timed Up and Go time at baseline was 46.67% (21.27, 73.41) accurate. The Timed Up and Go time and QTUG falls risk estimate were strongly correlated with UPDRS motor score. Fifty-two of 59 inertial sensor parameters exhibited excellent inter-session reliability, five exhibited moderate reliability, while two parameters exhibited poor reliability.

SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggest that QTUG is a reliable tool for the assessment of gait and mobility in Parkinson's disease and, furthermore, that it may have utility in predicting falls in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Volume

5

First Page

2055668317750811

Last Page

2055668317750811

ISSN

2055-6683

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

31191922

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine

Document Type

Article

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