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Methods Inf Med 2009; 48(06): 589-594
DOI: 10.3414/ME9243
Original Articles
Schattauer GmbH

Development of a System for Measurement and Analysis of Tremor Using a Three-axis Accelerometer

N. Mamorita
1   Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
,
T. Iizuka
2   Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
,
A. Takeuchi
1   Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
,
M. Shirataka
1   Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
,
N. Ikeda
1   Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



05 November 2009

Publication Date:
17 January 2018 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop a low-cost and compact system for analysis of tremor using a three-axis accelerometer (the Wii Remote (Nintendo)). To analyze tremor, we hypothesized that the influence of gravitational acceleration should be separated from that of movement. This hypothesis was tested experimentally and we also attempted to record and analyze tremor using our system in a clinical ward.

Methods: A system for tremor measurement and analysis was developed using the three-axis accelerometer built into the Wii Remote. The frequency and amplitude of mechanical oscillation were calculated using methods for frequency analysis of the axis of largest variance and an estimation of tremor amplitude.

Results: The system consists of a program for measurement and analysis of Wii Remote acceleration (Tremor Analyzer), a Wii Remote, a Bluetooth USB adapter and a Web camera. The Tremor Analyzer has a GUI (graphical user interface) that is divided into five segments. The sampling period of the analyzer is 30 msec. To confirm the hypothesis, mechanical oscillations were fed to the Wii Remote. The peak frequency of the power spectrum and the frequency of the oscillation generator were in good agreement, except at 1 Hz (0.01 G) and 2 Hz (0.02 G). With a change in the sum of squares of the three axes from 1.0 to 1.8 (G), the estimated and generated amplitude (0.3 cm) were in close agreement.

Conclusions: This system using a Wii Remote is capable of analyzing frequency and estimated amplitude of tremor between 3 Hz and 15 Hz.

Keywords

Tremor measurement - three-axis accelerometer - Wii Remote (Nintendo)
 

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