ACTRIMS 2021 | Detecting MS progression with a wearable multisensor device

Jennifer Graves, MD, PhD, MAS, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, discusses a study of a wearable multisensor device to determine its discriminatory potential in multiple sclerosis. The device contained an accelerometer, gyroscope, and surface electromyogram sensors. For a median of 10 months of follow-up, patients with relapsing and progressive MS were assessed at routine clinic visits every 6 months, where they wore the device to perform finger and foot taps. The study found that summary metrics were able to discriminate between relapsing and secondary progressive MS. Additionally, limb progression was assessed by looking at changes in the recordings over time within individual patients and while most showed no change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores during the short assessment, several patients showed progression based on the device metrics. This interview took place during the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.