TREMOR 

Development and validation of New Assistive Devices for the treatment of Disability Caused by Tremor

TIDE 3.5-years project started in Fall 1996

Abstract

The TREMOR project addresses the development and validation of technological aids for patients affected by cerebellar tremor. This kind of tremor, characteristic of patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), generates severe disabilities in patientís everyday life activities especially those referred to the control of the external environment performed through grasping and manipulative procedures. Tremor is present also in other pathologies than MS, however the TREMOR project addresses only cerebellar tremor as a case study; results obtained during the project can be practically extended to the other pathologies.
 

Summary of the project

The technical objectives to be achieved in the framework of the TREMOR Project consist of:

• a sensorized system having the functionality of recording all the kinematical parameters of the upper limbs and neck during the execution of natural tremor affected movements in common operation of everyday life; the sensorized system will be interfaced to a graphical rendering component representing the recorded movements of the upper limbs in a simulated scenario;
• a 2 degree of freedom (DOF) joystick capable of damping the vibrations induced by hand tremor and extracting voluntary movements characteristics. This system can be utilized as an interface for allowing children as well as adult patients to successfully interact with computer applications, and/or as well as an input device for controlling wheelchairs and robotic aids;
• a dedicated haptic interface for the control of manipulative tasks of patients affected by tremor; during the course of the project only a preliminary design of the system will be performed.

EPFL-LIG's contribution

EPFL-LIG will contribute with MIRALab to the graphics representation. They also plan to develop a virtual therapist guiding the patient during exercices.

Partners

• Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla, Genova - IT
• Belgian Association Multiple Sclerosis, Brussels - BE
• Bristol Oncoly Centre, Bristol - GB
• CGS S.a.s., Pisa - IT
• EPFL-LIG, Switzerland
• The Finnish Multiple Sclerosis Society, Masku - FI
• Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, Masku - FI
• MIE Medical Research Ltd, Leeds - GB
• Network Consulting Group S.r.l., Napoli - IT
• National Centrum voor Multiple Sclerose, Melsbroek - BE
• Pragma Engineering S.r.l., Perugia - IT
• SIM.CO.E S.r.l., Monfalcone (GO) - IT
• Signo Motus S.r.l., Messina - IT
• Scuola Superiore S.Anna - PERCRO, Pisa - IT
• Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone (PI) - IT
• Tepro Analysis S.r.l., Pisa - IT
• UK Multiple Sclerosis Association, Bristol - GB
• University of Geneva MIRALab, Geneva - CH
• University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle - GB

Official TREMOR server