Table 1
Telemedicine for Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders Summary
| Authors | Movement Disorder | Aims | Methods | Main Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schoffer et al.14 | Tremor | Guidelines for filming digital camera video clips for the assessment of gait and movement disorders. | Blind comparison between video clips filmed with different quality settings. | Adequate quality video clips of movement disorder can be produced and transmitted for telemedicine purposes. |
| Abdolahi et al.13 | Validation of a modified version of the motor UPDRS without rigidity and retropulsion pull testing. | Baseline and longitudinal reliability of the modified UPDRS compared to standard UPDRS. | A modified version of the motor UPDRS without rigidity and retropulsion pull testing is reliable and valid for remote assessments. | |
| Louis et al.16 | To study the accuracy of diagnosing PD by the videotaped UPDRS motor examination. | PD patients and controls examined by the UPDRS (in-person and videotaped examination). | The videotaped UPDRS motor examination is a useful means for diagnosing PD and provides an alternative approach for the diagnosis of PD in field studies. | |
| van Uem et al.18 | To evaluate HRQoL in PD patients wearing a wearable system for movements for 12 weeks in the home environment. | PD patients assigned to wearable sensors received daily feedback on the features tremor, dyskinesia/hypokinesia, and gait. HRQoL was assessed at baseline and after 4, 12, and 14 weeks, using the PDQ-39. | Overall perceived HRQoL does not deteriorate over a 12-week measurement period. Continuous assessment of PD symptoms in the domestic environment using wearables had a trend toward significant improvement in mobility domain of HRQoL. | |
| Frich et al.26 | Huntington’s disease | To describe how health care services are organized and delivered in HD-clinics taking part in or eligible for the Enroll-HD study. | Of the 231 sites surveyed, videoconferencing and telemedicine were used by 23.6%. | By using telemedicine as part of a regional outreach program, the volume of patients serviced can be expanded. |
| Hawkins et al.25 | To study whether tele-health testing improves access to HD predictive testing while maintaining quality of care and support. | There were no significant differences between the in-person-tested and tele-health-tested groups with respect to quality of care, information, counseling, and support. | Predictive testing for HD can be delivered by telemedicine while maintaining quality of care and support. | |
| Bull et al.24 | To determine the feasibility of conducting virtual visits directly into the homes of individuals with HD to assess the reliability of conducting remote versus in-person motor assessments, and to determine the test-retest reliability of conducting motor assessments remotely. | Participants were randomized to receive in-person and virtual visits via web-based videoconferencing. The level of agreement between remote and in-person assessments and a survey on interest in telemedicine were analyzed. | Virtual visits into the home are feasible and reliable for conducting motor assessments in HD. | |
| Abdolahi et al.23 | Cognitive assessment in movement disorders | To study the feasibility of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in patients with movement disorders | Seventeen individuals (8 with PD, 9 with HD) were evaluated in-person and by videoconferencing. | Administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in a sample of movement disorder patients with mild cognitive impairment is feasible. |
| Fraint et al.21 | Motor severity assessment | Determines reliability, feasibility, and satisfaction of telemedicine visits for evaluating cervical dystonia using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) motor severity subscale. | Eighteen individuals with cervical dystonia were evaluated in-person and by videoconferencing. | Excellent agreement between clinical and telemedicine visit when assessing cervical dystonia motor severity with high feasibility and satisfaction. |
| Dekker et al.48 | Myoclonus | To describe the phenomenology of a patient diagnosed with inspiratory myoclonus secondary to a post-anoxic encephalopathy. | Intermittent inspiratory myoclonus represents a rare disorder with a likely origin in the brainstem. | Rare movement disorders can be identified even in remote areas of the world where access to neurological care is limited by using teleconsultation. |
| Andrén et al.50 | Tic disorder | To assess the impact of Internet asynchronous Behavior therapy (BT) on tic severity. | Ten-week protocol of Internet-delivered exposure and response prevention versus Internet-delivered habit reversal training. | Both reduced tic-related impairment, parent-rated tic severity, and improved quality of life, only exposure and response prevention resulted in reduced tic severity. Therapeutic gains were maintained up to 12 months after the end of the treatment. |
[i] Abbreviations: HD, Huntington’s Disease; HRQOL, Health-Related Quality of Life; PD, Parkinson’s Disease; PDQ-39, 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire; UPDRS, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale.