Background/Purpose: Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common pediatric movement disorders. Assessing
tremor severity can be done using various methods such as tremor-rating scales and
visual spiral analysis. Digital spiral analysis (DSA) is a relatively new method that
has only been used in adults so far. In this study in pediatric patients, severity
of ET was assessed using DSA as well as longer-established exams. The aim of the study
was to validate DSA as an instrument for further studies in pediatric tremor.
Methods: Data acquisition took place at the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine,
Medical University Vienna, in 2013. Eight patients, aged 6 to 19 years, with previously
diagnosed essential tremor, were included. Descriptive analysis and correlation analysis
using Spearman’s statistics of the data acquired in digital spiral analysis as well
as clinical assessment, video documentation, standardized tremor rating scales, and
visual spiral analysis was performed.
Results: Mean scores in digital spiral analysis correlated significantly with visual spiral
scores (p < 0.037). Correlation of individual spiral scores was also significant (p < 0.0001). A correlation between digital scores and simple tremor rating could not
be shown.
Conclusion: The main limitation of this study was the small sample size. Nevertheless, DSA was
shown to be a valid assessment method for ET in childhood. With further studies including
more patients and/or different kinds of tremor, DSA might give a possibility to assess
tremor severity in pediatric patients in a quick and consistent way without extensive
training needed.
