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. 2021 Feb:83:93-104.
doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.01.006. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

The use of wearable/portable digital sensors in Huntington's disease: A systematic review

Rosanna Tortelli  1 , Filipe B Rodrigues  1 , Edward J Wild  2
Affiliations

The use of wearable/portable digital sensors in Huntington's disease: A systematic review

Rosanna Tortelli et al. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

In chronic neurological conditions, wearable/portable devices have potential as innovative tools to detect subtle early disease manifestations and disease fluctuations for the purpose of clinical diagnosis, care and therapeutic development. Huntington's disease (HD) has a unique combination of motor and non-motor features which, combined with recent and anticipated therapeutic progress, gives great potential for such devices to prove useful. The present work aims to provide a comprehensive account of the use of wearable/portable devices in HD and of what they have contributed so far. We conducted a systematic review searching MEDLINE, Embase, and IEEE Xplore. Thirty references were identified. Our results revealed large variability in the types of sensors used, study design, and the measured outcomes. Digital technologies show considerable promise for therapeutic research and clinical management of HD. However, more studies with standardized devices and harmonized protocols are needed to optimize the potential applicability of wearable/portable devices in HD.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Digital technology; Huntington's disease; Portable sensors; Wearable sensors.

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Conflict of interest statement

RT, FBR and EJW are University College London employees.

EJW is the PI of the “Digital-HD study”, sponsored by University College London with a grant by Hoffmann-La Roche. RT and FBR are both involved in this study.

FBR has provided consultancy services to GLG and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

EJW reports grants from, Triplet Therapeutics, PTC Therapeutics, Shire Therapeutics, Wave Life Sciences, Mitoconix, Takeda, Loqus23. All honoraria for these consultancies were paid through the offices of UCL Consultants Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of University College London. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has received funds as compensation for conducting clinical trials for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow-diagram for selection process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Examples of wearable/portable sensors used in Huntington's disease. a. Flexi-force sensing resistor (FRS), https://ww.tekscan.com/products-solutions/force-sensors/a201; b. Magnetic and inertial measurement unit (MIMU) (Opal™, APDM, Inc, Portland, OR, USA); c. Multi-mode adhesive flexible sensors (BioStampRc sensors, MC10 Inc, Lexington, MA, USA); d. Smartphone and smart-watch used for the Roche HD Digital Monitoring Platform.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Disease characteristics investigated using wearable/portable sensors in HD.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Graphic summary of all the tests (smartphone-based active tests, passive monitoring with wearables, and in-clinic tests) included in the Digital-HD study. Daily Qs: daily questions; EQ-5D-5L: Euro Quality of life - 5 Dimensions – 5 Levels questionnaire; WHODAS: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule; SDMT: Symbol Digit Modalities Test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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