Seward B Rutkove1, Kristin Qi1, Kerisa Shelton2, Julie Liss3, Visar Berisha4, Jeremy M Shefner2. 1. a Department of Neurology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA. 2. b Department of Neurology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA. 3. d Department of Speech and Hearing Science , Arizona State University , Phoenix , AZ , USA. 4. c University of Arizona College of Medicine , Phoenix , AZ , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To design an ALS clinical study in which patients are remotely recruited, screened, enrolled and then assessed via daily data collection at home by themselves or caregivers. METHODS: This observational, natural-history study included two academic medical centers, one providing overall clinical management and the other overseeing computing and web-services design and management. Both healthy and ALS subjects were recruited on the Internet via advertisement on governmental and foundation websites as well as through Facebook and Google paid advertisements. Individuals underwent screening and enrollment remotely, including signing an electronic informed consent form. Participants were then provided self-measurement equipment and instructed on their use through a series of web-based videos. The equipment included a handgrip dynamometer, spirometer with smartphone connection, electrical impedance myography device, and an activity tracker. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised data were also collected. Subjects were asked to collect data daily for three months and twice-weekly for the subsequent six months. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven ALS patients and 30 healthy individuals enrolled in the study from across 41 states (74 men, 62 women). Baseline median ALSFRS-R score was 33. Seventy two percent of the ALS patients sent equipment and 88% of the healthy subjects sent equipment were able to complete a first set of measurements. Expected baseline differences between the ALS patients and healthy participants were identified for all measures. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to design and institute an at-home based study in ALS patients, using a number of state-of-the-art approaches, including web-based consenting and training and Internet-connected measurement devices.
OBJECTIVE: To design an ALS clinical study in which patients are remotely recruited, screened, enrolled and then assessed via daily data collection at home by themselves or caregivers. METHODS: This observational, natural-history study included two academic medical centers, one providing overall clinical management and the other overseeing computing and web-services design and management. Both healthy and ALS subjects were recruited on the Internet via advertisement on governmental and foundation websites as well as through Facebook and Google paid advertisements. Individuals underwent screening and enrollment remotely, including signing an electronic informed consent form. Participants were then provided self-measurement equipment and instructed on their use through a series of web-based videos. The equipment included a handgrip dynamometer, spirometer with smartphone connection, electrical impedance myography device, and an activity tracker. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised data were also collected. Subjects were asked to collect data daily for three months and twice-weekly for the subsequent six months. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven ALSpatients and 30 healthy individuals enrolled in the study from across 41 states (74 men, 62 women). Baseline median ALSFRS-R score was 33. Seventy two percent of the ALSpatients sent equipment and 88% of the healthy subjects sent equipment were able to complete a first set of measurements. Expected baseline differences between the ALSpatients and healthy participants were identified for all measures. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to design and institute an at-home based study in ALSpatients, using a number of state-of-the-art approaches, including web-based consenting and training and Internet-connected measurement devices.
Authors: Hiroko H Dodge; Jian Zhu; Nora C Mattek; Daniel Austin; Judith Kornfeld; Jeffrey A Kaye Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-09-17 Impact factor: 3.240
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