[johnt]

Those of you familiar with my posts will know that I'm a numbers man; someone who believes we can get better traction on the conundrum that is Parkinson's by having solid data.

As a tiny step in this direction, I've written a simple online program to measure side to side arm movements.

Please take a look at:

http://www.parkinsonsmeasurement.web...eToSideTap.htm

I'll be grateful for comments.

This could be part of ad hoc reports (e.g. before I was doing x I was scoring 10, now I score 11) and of the on-line surveys that we've discussed previously.

John

[Sasha]

cool! I like it. Is this a movement that deteriorates with Parkinson's progression or is this too new to know??? Thank you for your efforts at quantifying something related to this nightmare!

[johnt]

I first came across the non-computer version of this test when I did the apomorphine challenge at my local hospital, where it seemed to accurately measure changes in my hand/arm speed as the drug's dose was increased.

In researching this reply I came across:
http://www.biomedsearch.com/article/...130648130.html

This paper mentions the CAPSIT-PD protocol, which includes a hand/arm movement test over 30cm and 20 sec (cf 15cm and 30 sec for the program).

I expect scores to decrease as a person's PD progresses. However, the diversity of symptoms is such that, in itself, this test is insufficient to measure progression.

John

[Sasha]

I'm confused - isn't a decreasing score reflective of a faster time? Which is an improvement? Am I turned aroound or what?

[lindylanka]

Did you want us to try it? I am assuming so......
left = 9.79
right = 7.47

towards end of dose, I am also assuming that this will affect data...... is the score how many cycles have been completed?

[johnt]

The results show two scores: one for the left hand/arm, and one for the right.

Each score is the number of p q cycles completed in 30 seconds plus an estimate of progress on an unfinished cycle. So, a high score is good.

As lindy points out the score is affected by medication. So, when we report on the effect of, for instance, exercise, we need to describe the circumstances in which the test is taken, e.g. before morning meds.

John

[imark3000]

Tests completed at 12 pm 4 hours after taking 100/25 sinemet (i.e. in the wearing off time of medication). Results:
left hand score 15.67
right hand score 13.12
It a simple test and I suppose it brings some objectivity in follow up of progress of the disease. I also regularly use and make note of Rick's method by standing on one leg (left and right) with both arms lifted above head and touching each other (a yoga poster) and counting until falling off.
Generally speaking, I think most of us know how we are doing with or without medication from multiple of symptoms such as tremor, energy, rigidity, etc. .
Thank you John for your interesting contributions.

[AnnT2]

I took this test early this morning befoire I had any medicine. Then I took it again when I was mid-cycle with meds. The right hand stayed the same, but the left hand went down five points. How do we explain that?

Ann

[johnt]

Ann,

There are a number of possible explanations:

1. There is a bug in my program. Were the results correct?
2. There is a natural variability in performance. A typical score for me is 10, so a change of 5 is unlikely to be "natural", but if you have high scores that is possible.
3. Does your medication improve your arm movements? My meds make a big difference to my arms, but almost no difference to my legs.
4. Was your state improved by the meds? How did you feel on the second time compared with the first? Some PwP report feeling good first thing in the morning.
5. Did you follow the same protocol both times? Only the index finger of one hand.

John

[lindylanka]

Hi John, perhaps you need to add the time of day, or which dose of the day, or how many doses per day? Maybe last would cover everything.....