Tremor Frequency Assessment by iPhone® Applications: Correlation with EMG Analysis

J Parkinsons Dis. 2016 Oct 19;6(4):717-721. doi: 10.3233/JPD-160936.

Abstract

Tremor frequency analysis is usually performed by EMG studies but accelerometers are progressively being more used. The iPhone® contains an accelerometer and many applications claim to be capable of measuring tremor frequency. We tested three applications in twenty-two patients with a diagnosis of PD, ET and Holmes' tremor. EMG needle assessment as well as accelerometry was performed at the same time. There was very strong correlation (Pearson >0.8, p < 0.001) between the three applications, the EMG needle and the accelerometry. Our data suggests the apps LiftPulse®, iSeismometer® and Studymytremor® are a reliable alternative to the EMG for tremor frequency assessment.

Keywords: EMG; Tremor; accelerometers; frequency; iPhone; smartphones.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry / instrumentation
  • Accelerometry / standards*
  • Aged
  • Electromyography / standards*
  • Essential Tremor / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Medical Informatics Applications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / instrumentation
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / standards*
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Smartphone*
  • Tremor / diagnosis*
  • Tremor / etiology