Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Digital technologies provide an opportunity to improve the measurement of physical function and ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs) in real-world settings. This study aimed to identify studies in people with neurological conditions in which digital measures were used to capture physical function in real-world settings.
METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted in December 2024 using PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies published since 2010 in English that included digital devices (e.g., accelerometers) to capture physical function (e.g., upper limb function) in real-world settings for neurological conditions (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease [CMT], multiple sclerosis [MS], muscular dystrophy [MD], myasthenia gravis [MG], myositis, spinal muscular atrophy [SMA]) were included. Studies conducted in clinical or lab settings or requiring clinician/researcher interaction were excluded.
RESULTS: The search identified 486 studies, 100 were considered for full text review, and 33 studies were extracted. Studies were identified in most (ALS [n=11], MS [n=11], MD [n=5], MG [n=3], SMA [n=3]) but not all diseases of interest (CMT, myositis). Aspects of motor function that were measured included physical activity (n=17); upper limb function (n=13), including hand dexterity (n=7); lower limb function (n=9), including gait/balance (n=6); and speech (n=4). There was large variation in the outcome variables used to represent these aspects of motor function. Devices used for data capture included accelerometers (n= 15), smartphone applications (n=15), activity/smart watches (n=2), and cameras (n=1). Few studies were designed to evaluate the feasibility and validity of these measures in real-world settings and with long-term follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Digital measures, including wearable devices and smartphones, provide the opportunity to remotely and passively assess physical function and ADLs in this population, thereby minimizing burden associated with traditional outcome assessment. Further research to evaluate the feasibility and validity of long-term measurement using digital devices is warranted.