Handwriting Analysis in Movement Disorders.

Movement Disorders Clinical Trial

Official title:

Handwriting Analysis in Movement Disorders.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06436287
• Other study ID #: 123953
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Start date: July 2024
• Est. completion date: July 2030

Study information

• Verified date: May 2024
• Source: Western University
• Contact: Aditya Murgai
• Phone: 519-685-8500
• Email: aditya.murgai[@]lhsc.on.ca
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Clinical Trial Summary

Movement disorders are a group of neurological conditions that cause problems with movement, either in the form of excessive, reduced, or slow movements. Some commonly known movement disorders include Parkinson disease, dystonia, ataxia, and Tourette syndrome. Multiple movement disorders have unique handwriting characteristics that can be measured using an inkless pen and a digitalized tablet. Handwriting is a complex skill that requires a combination of cognition, motor planning, and visuomotor integration. Handwriting deteriorates in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

This study aims to discern variations in the kinematics (movement patterns) involved in handwriting between individuals with movement disorders and healthy controls. Participants will be invited to carry out a series of handwriting tasks. The pen motions will be captured using an inkless pen and a digitizing tablet linked to a laptop. The entire set of tasks is designed to be completed within 30 minutes. The data will then be collected, processed, and analyzed utilizing a handwriting analysis software.

Description:

Background: Handwriting is a complex skill that requires a combination of cognition, motor planning, and visuomotor integration. Various brain structures including the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum are involved in learning and performing handwriting. Many neurological disorders impact these brain structures in unique ways, leading to distinct effects on handwriting. Changes in handwriting performance are a prominent feature of Parkinson disease (PD), ataxias, and other movement disorders. Handwriting analysis can serve as a tool to distinguish and monitor the progression of movement disorders. Patients suffering from PD exhibit impairments of previously learned motor skills, including handwriting. It has been demonstrated that patients in the early stages of Parkinson disease exhibit variations in handwriting when compared to healthy individuals. The current research will investigate kinematics, visuospatial adaptation, and learning in different movement disorders through handwriting analysis.

Data collection and Measurement techniques: The subject will be seated comfortably at a table with the digitalized tablet positioned to allow a natural writing position for the subject. Pen movements will be recorded using a non-inking pen and Wacom Cintiq 16-inch digitizing tablet connected to a laptop. A practice session will be provided to each participant to familiarize them with the inkless writing pen and tablet. Before each task, participants will be given instructions on how to perform the task. Participants will be instructed to complete several writing exercises aimed at evaluating various aspects of their handwriting skills. Each task will be repeated multiple times and the entire set of handwriting exercises will be completed within 30 minutes.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 100
• Est. completion date: July 2030
• Est. primary completion date: July 2029
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

(1) Diagnosed with a movement disorder.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Action tremor or weakness in the dominant hand interfering with writing task.

2. Unable to write or understand English

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Movement Disorders

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Aditya Murgai	London	Ontario

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Western University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Primary handwriting kinematic parameter (velocity)	Average absolute vertical velocity (cm/s)	Day 1
Secondary	Secondary handwriting kinematic parameter (acceleration)	Average absolute vertical acceleration (cm/s²)	Day 1
Secondary	Secondary handwriting kinematic parameter (duration)	Average stroke duration (msec)	Day 1
Secondary	Pen pressure	Average pen pressure (levels)	Day 1