The measurement of tremor using simple laser systems

Anne Beuter, Anne de Geoffroy, Paul Cordo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantification of movement pathologies is an important challenge of the clinical and research laboratories today. Basically, two problems must be addressed. The first one is to find the appropriate technology; the second is to develop adequate measures from the raw data which will best discriminate between health and pathology. In this paper, we propose a simple method to record and analyse tremor and other microdisplacements of the upper extremities based on the recording of position by laser analog sensors. Any microcomputer equipped to perform analog-digital conversion is compatible for use with this system. The performance of the laser system is examined and compared with the performance of accelerometers. Finally, data recorded with a laser analog sensor from a patient with Parkinson's disease and a control subject are presented. This new laser-based quantitative method may prove to be an important tool in early and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)47-54
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Laser analog sensor
  • Microdisplacement
  • Movement pathology
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Quantification
  • Tremor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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