Evaluation of a clinician worn device for the quantitative assessment of abnormal muscle tone type and severity (P5.178)

OBJECTIVE: To classify different types and severities of abnormal muscle tone using quantitative features obtained from a clinician worn device. BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, commonly result in abnormal muscle tone, which negatively affects function. Different abnormal muscle tone types, including spasticity and dystonia, respond differently to clinical interventions such as deep brain stimulation and baclofen. This makes identification of type of abnormal tone essential to intervention success and avoiding unnecessary interventions. However, it can be difficult for clinicians to classify severity and type of abnormal muscle tone using conventional assessment outcome measures. DESIGN/METHODS: Twenty individuals with abnormal muscle tone and twenty control subjects were recruited. The study clinician assessed abnormal tone while wearing a device that measures the limb speed and resistance to movement. The subjects’ wrists, elbows, knees and ankles were evaluated at five different speeds. The clinician evaluated tone type and severity by providing conventional clinical outcome measure, Ashworth and Fahn Marsden Burke, scores for each limb. RESULTS: Device assessed abnormal tone severity had a correlation with clinician measured severity greater than 0.8. Additionally, device measurements showed improved resolution of impairment compared to conventional clinical scores. Accuracy was greater than 80[percnt] between abnormal tone type classification and clinician evaluation for subjects with moderate to severe abnormal CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative measurements of abnormal muscle tone from a clinician worn device can distinguish type and severity of abnormal muscle tone. This device could improve assessment outcome measures, leading to improved clinical care and better evaluation of interventions for individuals with abnormal muscle Study Supported by: National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (1R43NS076052-01A1). Disclosure: Dr. Brokaw has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies as an employee. Dr. Itin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Heldman has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies as an employee. Dr. Giuffrida has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies as an employee. Dr. Montgomery has received personal compensation for activities with Medtronic, and Advanced Neurological Systems.