Current Status of Telemedicine for Parkinson's Disease in Japan: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey

Clinical and brain functional correlates of instrumental rigidity measurement in Parkinson's disease

Rigidity, a cardinal symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), remains challenging to assess objectively. A torque-angle instrument was developed to quantify muscle tone, providing two parameters: bias difference and elastic coefficient. This study aimed to investigate the association of the instrument-measured rigidity with clinical assessments and brain function. In 30 patients with PD, the muscle tone in both arms was evaluated. Ten with wearing-off phenomenon were assessed twice, off and on condition. Twentynine patients underwent brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and expression of PD-related covariance pattern (PDRP) was computed. Bias difference and elastic coefficient showed positive correlations with physician-rated rigidity (P < 0.002). Bias difference decreased after dopaminergic medication (P = 0.022) and was associated with lower body mass index (P = 0.012). Elastic coefficient positively correlated with the Unified PD Rating Scale Part III and PDRP scores (P < 0.044). Furthermore, the higher bias difference correlated with decreased sensory-motor cortex and increased substantia nigra perfusion (P < 0.001). The Torque-angle instrument is a viable tool for quantifying rigidity in PD. The bias difference reflects treatment responsiveness and is associated with the function in the sensory-motor cortex and substantia nigra. The elastic coefficient is indicative of overall Parkinsonism severity.

A Survey of Perspectives on Telemedicine for Patients With Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients often find it difficult to visit hospitals because of motor symptoms, distance to the hospital, or the absence of caregivers. Telemedicine is one way to solve this problem.

METHODS

We surveyed 554 PD patients from eight university hospitals in Korea. The questionnaire consisted of the clinical characteristics of the participants, possible teleconferencing.

METHODS

, and preferences for telemedicine.

RESULTS

A total of 385 patients (70%) expressed interest in receiving telemedicine. Among them, 174 preferred telemedicine whereas 211 preferred in-person visits. The longer the duration of disease, and the longer the time required to visit the hospital, the more patients were interested in receiving telemedicine.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study on PD patients' preferences regarding telemedicine in Korea. Although the majority of patients with PD have a positive view of telemedicine, their interest in receiving telemedicine depends on their different circumstances.

New era of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based detection, diagnosis, and therapeutics in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of neuronal cells, which leads to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive defects. Despite the advancements in treatment strategies, the management of PD is still a challenging event. Early prediction and diagnosis of PD are of utmost importance for effective management of PD. In addition, the classification of patients with PD as compared to normal healthy individuals also imposes drawbacks in the early diagnosis of PD. To address these challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models have been implicated in the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of PD. Recent times have also demonstrated the implication of AI and ML models in the classification of PD based on neuroimaging methods, speech recording, gait abnormalities, and others. Herein, we have briefly discussed the role of AI and ML in the diagnosis, treatment, and identification of novel biomarkers in the progression of PD. We have also highlighted the role of AI and ML in PD management through altered lipidomics and gut-brain axis. We briefly explain the role of early PD detection through AI and ML algorithms based on speech recordings, handwriting patterns, gait abnormalities, and neuroimaging techniques. Further, the review discuss the potential role of the metaverse, the Internet of Things, and electronic health records in the effective management of PD to improve the quality of life. Lastly, we also focused on the implementation of AI and ML-algorithms in neurosurgical process and drug discovery.

Feasibility and efficacy of video-call speech therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Speech therapy is highly effective for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have speech difficulties; however, its accessibility is limited. Online video-call speech therapy has been explored as an alternative option for PD patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of video-call speech therapy for PD patients.

METHODS

This prospective, comparative study was conducted between July and September 2022. PD patients with speech difficulties were divided into two groups, online speech therapy via video call and in-person therapy at hospital, based on their willingness to visit the hospital frequently. The patients underwent 12 sessions of speech therapy, focusing on respiration and phonation. Acoustic assessments, auditory-perceptual assessment, and voice handicap index (K-VHI10) were evaluated at baseline, post-therapy, and follow-up.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were enrolled in the study, though one patient from the online group withdrew. Ten patients completed the therapy (five in each group) without missing a session. The baseline acoustic measurements did not differ between the two groups. After therapy, both group showed an increase in voice intensity and improvement in overall loudness. The post-therapy change from baseline in the acoustic measurements was not significantly different between the two groups. The effect of therapy were maintained in the follow-up evaluation in both groups. The K-VHI10 decreased significantly from baseline to post-therapy and further at follow-up in both groups, with no significant difference between two groups.

CONCLUSION

The online speech therapy via video call is feasible in PD patients with speech difficulties and as effective as in-person therapy.

Feasibility study of Internet video-based speech-language activity for outpatients with primary progressive aphasia

BACKGROUND

Primary progressive aphasia is a clinical dementia syndrome secondary to neurodegenerative disease characterized by language-related difficulties. Currently, there is no effective treatment for language impairment in primary progressive aphasia. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of Internet video-based speech-language activities for this condition.

METHODS

Twenty-three people with primary progressive aphasia (pwPPA) participated in the study and were provided with twelve speech-language activity videos on a dedicated website, with three sessions per week. The group that chose to continue with participation after three months of intervention received Internet activities for one year. Cognitive domains associated with persistence, treatment motivation, and video difficulty settings were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

After three months, 17 out of 23 participants opted to continue with the activities. The ability to follow oral commands which was measured pre intervention was higher in the group that continued compared with those participants who discontinued activity. The scores of two Standard Language Test of Aphasia subtests, sentence repetition and narrative writing-associated with the ability to comprehend and produce sentence structure-were highly correlated with motivation, interest and concentration in activity. Participants with different levels of primary progressive aphasia progression could participate in the same video-based activities when high-frequency words were used in the video.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet video-based speech-language activity at home has potential as a useful tool for future primary progressive aphasia treatment because it provides a cost-effective approach to intensive intervention and overcomes barriers associated with traditional therapy approaches.

A Narrative Review of Current Status and Future Perspective of Telemedicine for Parkinson's Disease, Dementia, and Intractable Neurological Diseases in Japan

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has uncovered several inherent problems in society. While the demand for telemedicine surged worldwide and some countries responded flexibly, in Japan, most telemedicine services were limited to telephone consultations, and full-fledged telemedicine did not become widespread. In addition, the digitalization process in both medicine and wider society lags behind some other nations. It is necessary to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare to build a sustainable society that is resilient to crises, such as new pandemics. In particular, as Japan is facing an issue of super-aged society, a sustainable care model for people with Parkinson's disease, dementia, and intractable neurological diseases should be established. Many neurodegenerative and intractable neurological diseases are progressive; as the disease progresses, patients could become difficult to visit specialists. Although online medical care has many advantages, it does not provide the same quality of information as face-to-face consultations. However, new technology can overcome the limitations of online medical care. As an evolutionary direction for telemedicine, three-dimensional telemedicine technologies are being developed, which enable online medical treatment to be delivered as if the patient was sharing the same space. Telemonitoring can enable the objective and continuous evaluation of patient information at home through the use of motion capture, wearable devices, and other devices. The advancement of digital transformation in medical care should be a game-changer in accumulating big data and analyzing it using artificial intelligence.

Effects of LSVT-BIG via telerehabilitation on non-motor and motor symptoms and quality of life in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with motor and non-motor symptoms affecting the quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT)-BIG rehabilitation program via telerehabilitation on quality of life, motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), and their correlation with each other.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with mild-to-moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3) were included in the LSVT-BIG exercise program with remote access for 16 sessions over four weeks. Motor and non-motor experiences before and after the program were evaluated with MDS-UPDRS parts 1, 2, and 3 and quality of life with PDQ-39. The correlation between MDS-UPDRS parts and PDQ-39 subgroups was examined.

RESULTS

Following the application of the LSVT-BIG rehabilitation program with remote access, MDS-UPDRS parts 1, 2, and 3 scores and PDQ-39 summary index (PDQ-39 SI) and subgroup scores (excluding social support) were improved. A moderate-strong correlation was determined between MDS-UPDRS parts 1 and 2 and the PDQ-39 parameters of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Both motor and non-motor symptoms may be associated with the quality of life in PD. We have concluded that LSVT-BIG treatment via telerehabilitation can improve motor and non-motor symptoms along with the quality of life in PwPD.