Continuous monitoring of PD with an affordable novel computerised motor test based on a tablet

Objectives: This work presents a novel computerized motor task, implemented on an affordable tablet (under development in a UE project). The task consists of tracking a target moving with random steps on the touch screen of a tablet. The aim is to provide a tool for continuous monitoring of motor abilities in PD. Methods: Two PD subjects and two controls have been monitored for approximately 6 months, carrying out the motor test daily. The recorded time-histories of the task have been processed in multiple ways to extract several metrics (among which reaction time, movement time, motor control delays, correction patterns etc.). Results: The evolution of selected metrics, among which reaction time (mean and SD), movement time (mean and SD), peak movement speed, etc., will be presented as function of the time in the test period for both PD and controls; highlighting the potential applications of this technology and showing features that cannot be appreciated with discontinuous observation (months apart). Conclusions: The novel computerized test easily allows monitoring PD with continuous and frequent observations in home environments. The EU project within which the tool is being developed has tentative plans to release the tool for open use and access.