Detection of an Ataxia-type disease from EMG and IMU sensors

Mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS) is a heritable disease, relatively common in Finland. Among other things, patients suffer from ataxia, a movement disorder with difficulties in coordination. To date, no treatment is known for the disease, but medication and therapy can lessen the symptoms, provided that the progression of symptoms is closely monitored to adjust the treatment according to the individual needs. This necessary evaluation is a manual, subjective process.We report about our efforts to explore quantifiable characteristics that could be used to monitor the disease progression objectively using electromyography (EMG) as well as inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. In particular, in a study with eight participants, including a patient, we have collected muscle activation as well as IMU data during several tasks. The study found some characteristics that might qualify as indicators of ataxia, such as high-frequency electrical activity (EA) components and similarity of repetitions. We further suggest the use of IMU and machine learning to improve the objective monitoring of the disease's progression.