R López-Blanco1, J Benito-León2, S Llamas-Velasco3, M D Del Castillo4, J I Serrano4, E Rocon4, J P Romero5, M A Velasco4. 1. Instituto de Investigación (i+12), Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España. Electronic address: robretolb@gmail.com. 2. Instituto de Investigación (i+12), Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Center of Biomedical Network Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), España; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España. 3. Center of Biomedical Network Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), España; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España. 4. Centro de Automática y Robótica (CAR) CSIC-UPM, Arganda del Rey, Madrid, España. 5. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Francisco de Vitoria University, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, España; Unidad de Daño Cerebral, Hospital Beata Maria Ana, Madrid, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Smartphones use in biomedical research is becoming more prevalent in different clinical settings. We performed a pilot study to obtain information on smartphone use by patients with essential tremor (ET) and healthy controls, with a view to determining whether performance of touchscreen tasks is different between these groups and describing touchscreen interaction factors. METHOD: A total of 31 patients with ET and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls completed a descriptive questionnaire about the use of smartphones. Participants subsequently interacted with an under-development Android application, and performed 4 tests evaluating typical touchscreen interaction gestures; each test was performed 5 times. RESULT: The type of smartphone use and touchscreen interaction were not significantly different between patients and controls. Age and frequency of smartphone use are key factors in touchscreen interaction. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of smartphone touchscreens for research into ET, although further studies are required.
INTRODUCTION: Smartphones use in biomedical research is becoming more prevalent in different clinical settings. We performed a pilot study to obtain information on smartphone use by patients with essential tremor (ET) and healthy controls, with a view to determining whether performance of touchscreen tasks is different between these groups and describing touchscreen interaction factors. METHOD: A total of 31 patients with ET and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls completed a descriptive questionnaire about the use of smartphones. Participants subsequently interacted with an under-development Android application, and performed 4 tests evaluating typical touchscreen interaction gestures; each test was performed 5 times. RESULT: The type of smartphone use and touchscreen interaction were not significantly different between patients and controls. Age and frequency of smartphone use are key factors in touchscreen interaction. CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of smartphone touchscreens for research into ET, although further studies are required.