Motor assessment of X-linked dystonia parkinsonism via machine-learning-based analysis of wearable sensor data

Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 9;14(1):13229. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63946-4.

Abstract

X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) is a neurogenetic combined movement disorder involving both parkinsonism and dystonia. Complex, overlapping phenotypes result in difficulties in clinical rating scale assessment. We performed wearable sensor-based analyses in XDP participants to quantitatively characterize disease phenomenology as a potential clinical trial endpoint. Wearable sensor data was collected from 10 symptomatic XDP patients and 3 healthy controls during a standardized examination. Disease severity was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part 3 (MDS-UPDRS) and Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia scale (BFM). We collected sensor data during the performance of specific MDS-UPDRS/BFM upper- and lower-limb motor tasks, and derived data features suitable to estimate clinical scores using machine learning (ML). XDP patients were at varying stages of disease and clinical severity. ML-based algorithms estimated MDS-UPDRS scores (parkinsonism) and dystonia-specific data features with a high degree of accuracy. Gait spatio-temporal parameters had high discriminatory power in differentiating XDP patients with different MDS-UPDRS scores from controls, XDP freezing of gait, and dystonic/non-dystonic gait. These analyses suggest the feasibility of using wearable sensor data for deriving reliable clinical score estimates associated with both parkinsonian and dystonic features in a complex, combined movement disorder and the utility of motion sensors in quantifying clinical examination.

Keywords: Digital health; Dystonia; Dystonia parkinsonism; Machine Learning; Parkinsonism; Wearable sensors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dystonic Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Dystonic Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked* / diagnosis
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / diagnosis
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / physiopathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Supplementary concepts

  • Dystonia 3, Torsion, X-Linked