Objective: We propose an e-textile in form of a cap to continuously track hypomimia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) allowing for an unobtrusive monitoring of facial expressions during clinical stay.

Background: Hypomimia is a common and early symptom of PD that significantly impacts patients’ social interactions and quality of life. Often associated with the akinetic-rigid subtype of PD, it manifests as slowed or reduced facial muscle movements. Being linked to both motor impairments and altered emotion processing, it impacts the articulation of emotions which may lead to challenges in communication. An early detection, especially during in-hospital adjustments, may aid in therapy optimization and thereby facilitating better understanding of the symptom’s progression and responsiveness to therapy. The utilization of e-textiles for detection purposes offers great opportunities as they are comfortably embedded into clothing and therefore operating entirely in the background.

Method: We designed a sensor-fitted cap capable of closely monitoring minutest muscular movements due to its proximity to the individual’s face. This proposal includes the acquisition and secure storage of high-density data such as video streams and positional information. Through the semantic representation of extracted data, we aim to detect and classify hypomimia to support clinicians’ work by finding the right treatment.

Results: A prototype of the cap is currently under development, showing promising initial results. Preliminary evaluations have determined the optimal positioning of the camera sensor and fitting of the textile. During clinical routine at the neurological ward, close-loop assessments support the validation of our method according to standard scales. Subsequent evaluation of the cap’s functionality and usability will occur within the neurology department at the university hospital, while PD patients undergo routine care.

Conclusion: The sensor-fitted cap presents significant potential for continuous monitoring of hypomimia in PD patients. Its ease of use, even in technologically inexperienced patients, holds promise for a routine integration into clinical settings to aid in pharmaceutical adjustments. By tracking tiniest muscular movements as disease progresses, the cap ultimately contributes to a deeper understanding of hypomimia and thereby supports caregivers in therapeutic decision-making.

« Back to 2024 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/continuous-monitoring-of-hypomimia-in-parkinsons-disease-using-a-sensor-equipped-cap/