Unraveling of an original mechanism of hypometria in human using a new myohaptic device — The Wristalyzer

We report a novel form of hypometria in a patient presenting a spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2; 32 repeats; Age: 44). We investigated fast pointing (FP) and fast reversal (FR) single-joint movements performed under artificial damping conditions using our myohaptic device called Wristalyzer, which allows an instantaneous regulation of the mechanical characteristics of a wrist manipulandum. The wristalyzer controller has a range of motion from −1 rad to +1 rad. The inertia of the motor/handgrip is 0.004 kg × m2. Movements were studied in free mode and with damping either at 0.1 Nms/rad or 0.2 Nms/rad. Subjects performed sets of FP movements and FR movements over 3 distances (targets: 0.2,…

A New Myohaptic Device to Assess Wrist Function in the Lab and in the Clinic – The Wristalyzer

Wristalyzer is a portable robotic device combining haptic technology with electromyographic assessment. It allows to assess wrist motion in physiological and pathological conditions by applying loads and mechanical oscillations, taking into account the ergonomy and the angular positioning of the joints. The wristalyzer works in a free or loaded mode for assessment of metrics of motion and tremor, analyzes the behavior of the wrist joints and the associated muscle activities during delivery of mechanical oscillations, estimates the maximal voluntary contraction, assesses automatically the impedance of the wrist for assessment of rigidity or spasticity. Position, torques and electromyographic…

EVALUATION OF PROGRESSION IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL APPROACH

YOUNG PATIENT PRESENTING CEREBELLAR ATAXIA ASSOCIATED WITH ANTI-GAD ANTIBODIES. CASE REPORT AND HYPOTHESIS

TELEPHONE FOLLOW-UP FOR PATIENTS WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

The relentless evolution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a severe neurodegenerative disorder of the upper and lower motoneurons, leads to an increasing level of disability. Most patients, during the course of the disease, become unable to attend the tertiary clinical care center and are thus prevented from enrolling in clinical trials or benefiting from specialized care and management. The main objective of this study was to verify whether the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) could be reliably administered by telephone to patients, when unable to attend the ALS clinic, or to their caregivers. ALSFRS is a validated instrument that assesses the functional status and the disease pr…