Identifying fine movement difficulties in Parkinson´s disease using a computer assessment tool

As a neurodegenerative disease which effects movement, Parkinson´s disease can present features such as rigidity, lack of hand and finger control and difficulty initiating movement (bradykinesia), to name but a few. A computer-based assessment tool has been created and an evaluation carried out by 10 participants with Parkinson´s disease and a control group of 10 participants without the disease. This assessment tool collects data on the user´s mouse movements by asking them to click targets on screen, to allow for identification of certain features of Parkinson´s disease. Results showed that the level of hand control and finger dexterity was considerably less in the participants with the disease compared to those without. Only 1 participant in the control group had any accidental clicks compared to 7 in the Parkinson´s disease group. The anticipated use of this tool is to complement the established methods of assessment and to enable the assessment process itself to become less subjective.