An electromagnetic tracking system was used to record arm motion in subjects with Parkinson's disease (n = 23), essential tremor (n = 28) or without neurological disease (n = 4). Tremor magnitude was calculated by averaging the three-dimensional displacement of individual tremor bursts. Tremor magnitude calculated in this manner was quite closely correlated with a clinician's estimate (r = 0.88 and 0.86 for Parkinsonian and essential tremors, respectively) and was reproducible (r = 0.93 for repeated recordings). The accuracy of the device and algorithm was confirmed by mechanically generating oscillations of known magnitudes and frequencies. This device is adaptable for quantifying different types of tremors and its accuracy is easy to verify. Because position rather than acceleration is tracked, tremor amplitude can be stated in readily comprehensible units.
Copyright 2001 Movement Disorder Society.