Objective: The aim of our study was to overview the history and evolution of tremor-recording methods and related quantitative tremor parameters, as well as to highlight their significance in clinical tremor research in Parkinson’s disease.

Background: Tremor registration does not have a uniform protocol. The growing number of tremor-recording methods and the various quantitative tremor parameters make it difficult to compare the results of different clinical or research laboratories.

Methods: We performed a thorough Pubmed search using the terms „tremor” and „frequency” in November 2015. We selected those original studies that used quantitative tremor registration in Parkinson’s patients. Tremor characteristics were divided into frequency- and time-domain groups. Their rate of occurrence in the articles was calculated. The history of development of tremor-recording was based on data from the selected articles and papers from their reference list. We presented the evolution of tremor recording methods on a timeline diagram.

Results: We have found 71 articles matching the inclusion criteria. We have identified several methods based on different principles, ranging from surface EMG, through intracerebral EEG, EMG-EEG coherence analysis, accelerometry, gyroscopes, laser analogue sensors, potentiometers, ultrasound based systems, wireless systems for home monitoring, to digitalized systems such as Archimedes spiral drawing tablet. Eleven quantitative tremor parameters belonged to the frequency-domain and 14 parameters in the time-domain group. We have found 4 pairs of synonyms among the frequency-domain characteristics and 2 pairs among the time-domain ones. In clinical research, frequency-domain characteristics have been used much more frequently than time-domain characteristics.

Conclusions: To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first study on the history and evolution of tremor recording methods. Our research shows that some quantitative tremor parameters, although are named differently, measure the same characteristics. Frequency-domain parameters are used more often, but the growing number of time-domain parameters reflects the need for analysing tremor circuits as networks. Our results suggest that standardization of quantitative tremor recording methods might support the further development of clinical tremor research.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/tremor-recording-methods-and-related-quantitative-tremor-parameters-in-parkinsons-disease/