Detecting Parkinson*s disease using handwriting and tracing tasks: a prospective pilot-study

In a previous study we showed that a system for handwriting monitoring allowed
distinguishing patients with Parkinson*s disease (PD) from age-matched healthy
controls with high sensitivity and specificity. However, patients were off
medication, older (>50 years) and selected to be in a specific disease stage.
Furthermore, the more important application of the system would be the
differentiation between PD and other movement disorders (other MD). In the
present study we therefore aim to evaluate the system for its ability to
differentiate between patients with PD and patients with other movement
disorders, when no prior selection of patients has taken place.

To assess whether there are differences (including sensitivity and specificity)
in pen motion and grip force patterns, derived using a system for handwriting
monitoring while performing different writing, tracing and fine motor skill
tasks, between an unselected population of patients with PD and patients with
another type of movement disorder (other MD).

Observational study. Subjects have to execute diadochokinesis, line, spiral,
circle and zigzag drawing, text writing and a Fitts* task on a writing tablet
while holding a pen that can measure grip force. In addition a rest measurement
is taken and fine motor skills will be tested using the Purdue Pegboard test.
Other parameters of interest (medication use, comorbidities, UPDRS (Unified
Parkinson*s Disease Rating Scale) score at time of testing) and the definite
diagnosis will be collected from the patient*s file.

There are no risks or benefits, and the burden is limited to the time invested
in the test (approximately 30-35 minutes, directly before or after a patient*s
appointment at the outpatient clinic).