Validation of digital spiral analysis as outcome parameter for clinical trials in essential tremor.

Essential tremor, one of the most prevalent movement disorders, is characterized by kinetic and postural tremor affecting activities of daily living. Spiral drawing is commonly used to visually rate tremor intensity, as part of the routine clinical assessment of tremor and as a tool in clinical trials. We present a strategy to quantify tremor severity from spirals drawn on a digitizing tablet.

An open-label, single-dose, crossover study of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of two oral formulations of 1-octanol in patients with essential tremor.

Existing therapeutic options for management of essential tremor are frequently limited by poor efficacy and adverse effects. Likely the most potent tremor suppressant used is ethanol, although its use is prohibitive due to a brief therapeutic window, and the obvious implications of excessive alcohol use. Longer-chain alcohols have been shown to suppress tremor in harmaline animal models, and appear to be safe and well tolerated in 2 prior studies in humans.

An Internet-based patient-provider communication system: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Internet-based interactive websites for patient communication (patient portals) may improve communication between patients and their clinics and physicians.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a patient portal on patients' satisfaction with access to their clinic and clinical care. Another aim was to analyze the content and volume of email messages and telephone calls from patients to their clinic.

Expectations of patients and physicians regarding patient-accessible medical records.

Background: Middle class populations have supported shared medical records, including Internet-accessible medical records. The attitudes of lower income populations, and of physicians, are less clear.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the attitudes toward shared outpatient medical records among (1) socioeconomically disadvantaged patients in community health centers, (2) insured patients in primary care offices, and (3) a broad range of physicians in outpatient practice.

Providing a web-based online medical record with electronic communication capabilities to patients with congestive heart failure: randomized trial.

Background: It is possible to provide patients with secure access to their medical records using the Internet. Such access may assist patients in the self-management of chronic diseases such as heart failure.

Objective: To assess how a patient-accessible online medical record affects patient care and clinic operations.

Use of a patient-accessible electronic medical record in a practice for congestive heart failure: patient and physician experiences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the experiences of patients and physicians in a clinical trial of an online electronic medical record (SPPARO, System Providing Patients Access to Records Online).

Design: Quantitative data were obtained from questionnaires. Qualitative data were obtained from individual interviews and focus groups.