Linking UPDRS Scores and Kinematic Variables in the Leg Agility Task of Parkinsonians

Abstract

In this paper, by characterizing the Leg Agility (LA) task, which contributes to the evaluation of the degree of severity of the Parkinson's Disease (PD), through kinematic variables (including the angular amplitude and speed of thighs' motion), we investigate the link between these variables and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores. Our investigation relies on the use of a few body-worn wireless inertial nodes and represents a first step in the design of a portable system for automatic detection of the degree of severity (in terms of UPDRS score) of PD. The experimental investigation is carried out considering 24 PD patients.