A Novel Body Sensor Network for Parkinson's Disease Patients Rehabilitation Assessment

A miniaturized wireless Attitude and Heading Reference System has been developed with the primary purpose to achieve a body sensor network for motor performance quantitative analysis of Parkinson's disease patients during rehabilitation sessions. The paper describes the performance of the single node, the peculiarities of the developed wearable network and the custom software developed specifically for the Extended Timed-Up-and-Go test. An experimental protocol on Parkinson's Disease patients is currently ongoing. This paper reports the preliminary results, involving 13 patients (mean age 64.6±9) with a moderate disease level and 4 controls (mean age 64.3±4). The data taken during rehabilitation exercise have been analyzed and outcomes are discussed.