Aspect |
Description |
Nature of Disorder |
Neurological disorder characterized by involuntary rhythmic oscillations of the hands |
Demographic Affected |
Affects individuals across age groups, from children to the elderly |
Impact on Daily Life |
Hinders fundamental activities such as eating, writing, drinking, and holding objects |
Prevalence |
Approximately 4 to 5% of the population |
Diagnostic Challenges |
Relatively enigmatic condition with predominantly subjective clinical diagnosis |
Diagnostic Criteria |
Inconsistently defined criteria leading to variations in diagnosis and treatment recommendations |
Objective Measures Importance |
Crucial for standardized diagnosis, tracking progression, and guiding targeted therapeutic interventions |
Bridging the Gap |
Addresses the gap between limited understanding and the need for precise and effective treatment |
Table 1: Overview of Essential Hand Tremor Background and Significance
Criteria |
Inclusion Details |
Number of Participants |
16 (carefully selected) |
Gender |
8males, 8 females (both genders) |
Age Range |
20-85 years (wide range spanning various age groups) |
Essential Hand Tremor Stages |
Early, moderate, advanced |
Inclusion Criteria |
Strictly designed for a representative sample |
Diversity in Participants |
Ensures a holistic understanding of the condition |
Variations Considered |
Accounts for possible variations across age groups and disorder stages |
Table 2: Participant Characteristics in the Study
Method |
Description |
Accelerometry |
Tri-axial accelerometer securely attached to the dorsum of each participant's hand |
Measures real-time data on linear acceleration in three spatial axes: X, Y, and Z |
|
Captures the full spectrum of essential hand tremor characteristics |
|
Electromyography (EMG) |
EMG electrodes strategically placed on specific hand muscles, including flexor and extensor groups |
Captures muscular activity during hand tremor episodes |
|
Combined Approach |
Simultaneous use of accelerometry and EMG for a comprehensive analysis of tremor properties |
Table 3: Data Collection Methods in the Study
Parameter |
Correlation Coefficient (R_amplitude) |
Interpretation |
Hand Tremor Amplitude |
~0.75 |
Highly significant positive correlation between hand tremor amplitude, measured by 3D accelerometry, and muscle activity detected by EMG. |
Influence of Muscle Contractions |
significant |
The correlation underscores the substantial influence of muscle contractions on hand tremor amplitude. |
Table 4: Correlation Between Hand Tremor Amplitude and Muscle Activity
Variables |
Correlation Coefficient |
Hand Tremor Frequency (Accelerometry) |
0.85 |
Muscle Electrical Activity (EMG) |
0.7 |
Table 5: Correlation Between Hand Tremor Frequency and Muscle Electrical Activity
Characteristic |
Description |
Direction |
Determined through 3D accelerometry data analysis |
Correlation with EMG |
Confirmed involvement of extensor muscles primarily responsible for tremors |
Biomechanical Aspects |
Provides insight into the intricate interplay between muscles and movement |
Implications for Treatment |
Allows for more precise targeting of interventions, potentially reducing directional component of hand tremors |
Table 6: Direction-Specific Involvement of Muscle Groups in Hand Tremors
Tables at a glance