A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor

The assessment and rehabilitation of upper-limb functionality are crucial for addressing motor disorders in individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Traditional methods often lack the sensitivity to quantify subtle motor impairments, with cerebellar tremor diagnosis typically based on subjective...

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Main Authors: Etty Sabatino, Miriam Moschetta, Andrea Lucaroni, Giacinto Barresi, Carlo Ferraresi, Jessica Podda, Erica Grange, Giampaolo Brichetto, Anna Bucchieri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Virtual Worlds
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/4/1/4
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author Etty Sabatino
Miriam Moschetta
Andrea Lucaroni
Giacinto Barresi
Carlo Ferraresi
Jessica Podda
Erica Grange
Giampaolo Brichetto
Anna Bucchieri
author_facet Etty Sabatino
Miriam Moschetta
Andrea Lucaroni
Giacinto Barresi
Carlo Ferraresi
Jessica Podda
Erica Grange
Giampaolo Brichetto
Anna Bucchieri
author_sort Etty Sabatino
collection DOAJ
description The assessment and rehabilitation of upper-limb functionality are crucial for addressing motor disorders in individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Traditional methods often lack the sensitivity to quantify subtle motor impairments, with cerebellar tremor diagnosis typically based on subjective visual inspections by clinicians. This study explored the feasibility of using Microsoft HoloLens2 for motion capture to assess upper-limb function in PwMS. Using the ROCKapp application, kinematic metrics such as movement quality and oculomotor coordination were recorded during pick-and-place tasks. Data from twelve healthy individuals served as benchmarks, while nine PwMS, including three with cerebellar tremor and one with ataxia, were tested to evaluate the tool’s diagnostic potential. Clustering algorithms applied to the kinematic data classified participants into distinct groups, showing that PwMS without cerebellar symptoms sometimes displayed behavior similar to healthy controls. However, those with cerebellar conditions, like tremor and ataxia, were more easily differentiated. While the HoloLens2 shows promise in detecting motor impairments, further refinement is required to improve sensitivity for those without overt cerebellar symptoms. Despite these challenges, this approach offers potential for personalized rehabilitation, providing detailed feedback that could improve interventions and enhance quality of life for PwMS. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of mixed-reality tools to refine diagnostic accuracy, suggesting future studies to validate their integration in clinical rehabilitation programs.
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spelling doaj-art-bdfbca22bd904bf487776e8090cea3d02025-08-20T03:44:05ZengMDPI AGVirtual Worlds2813-20842025-01-0141410.3390/virtualworlds4010004A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar TremorEtty Sabatino0Miriam Moschetta1Andrea Lucaroni2Giacinto Barresi3Carlo Ferraresi4Jessica Podda5Erica Grange6Giampaolo Brichetto7Anna Bucchieri8PDIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, ItalyPDIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, ItalyRehab Technologies Lab, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), 16163 Genoa, ItalyBristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKPDIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, ItalyScientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), 16126 Genoa, ItalyScientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), 16126 Genoa, ItalyScientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), 16126 Genoa, ItalyInria, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, Loria, 54600 Villers-lès-Nancy, FranceThe assessment and rehabilitation of upper-limb functionality are crucial for addressing motor disorders in individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Traditional methods often lack the sensitivity to quantify subtle motor impairments, with cerebellar tremor diagnosis typically based on subjective visual inspections by clinicians. This study explored the feasibility of using Microsoft HoloLens2 for motion capture to assess upper-limb function in PwMS. Using the ROCKapp application, kinematic metrics such as movement quality and oculomotor coordination were recorded during pick-and-place tasks. Data from twelve healthy individuals served as benchmarks, while nine PwMS, including three with cerebellar tremor and one with ataxia, were tested to evaluate the tool’s diagnostic potential. Clustering algorithms applied to the kinematic data classified participants into distinct groups, showing that PwMS without cerebellar symptoms sometimes displayed behavior similar to healthy controls. However, those with cerebellar conditions, like tremor and ataxia, were more easily differentiated. While the HoloLens2 shows promise in detecting motor impairments, further refinement is required to improve sensitivity for those without overt cerebellar symptoms. Despite these challenges, this approach offers potential for personalized rehabilitation, providing detailed feedback that could improve interventions and enhance quality of life for PwMS. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential of mixed-reality tools to refine diagnostic accuracy, suggesting future studies to validate their integration in clinical rehabilitation programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/4/1/4multiple sclerosisupper limbmixed realityrehabilitation
spellingShingle Etty Sabatino
Miriam Moschetta
Andrea Lucaroni
Giacinto Barresi
Carlo Ferraresi
Jessica Podda
Erica Grange
Giampaolo Brichetto
Anna Bucchieri
A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
Virtual Worlds
multiple sclerosis
upper limb
mixed reality
rehabilitation
title A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
title_full A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
title_fullStr A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
title_full_unstemmed A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
title_short A Pilot Study on Mixed-Reality Approaches for Detecting Upper-Limb Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights on Cerebellar Tremor
title_sort pilot study on mixed reality approaches for detecting upper limb dysfunction in multiple sclerosis insights on cerebellar tremor
topic multiple sclerosis
upper limb
mixed reality
rehabilitation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2084/4/1/4
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