A new method for evaluating postural hand tremor based on CMOS camera

The balance and stability of body and limbs are controlled by nervous system. The postural tremor measurement has some supplementary diagnostic value for neuropathy, and has a benefit for stability assessment of limbs. To observe the characteristics of postural hand tremor in different cases, and diagnose those functions of nervous system, a measuring system is required to provide an accurate measuring method and those effective characteristic parameters. This article provides descriptions on the design and performance of a new hand tremor measuring system developed to meet such stringent requirements. The new non-contact measuring system is developed from optical measuring technology using a CMOS camera. Details of measuring process and data processing algorithms are provided. Those parameters are proposed to quantify characteristics of postural hand tremor. To illustrate those parameters, a healthy youth and an elderly patient with hypertension and lacunar cerebral infarction was as control. The repeatability of this measuring system has been investigated as well.