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MotionSense

Mobile Research Platform for Parkinson's Disease

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Project Overview

MotionSense is a student-led mobile research platform designed to translate the Random Dot Motion (RDM) paradigm into an accessible, at-home testing solution for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Our goal is to democratize access to validated perceptual research tasks, enabling researchers to collect high-quality data from participants in the comfort of their own homes.

By combining rigorous scientific methodology with modern mobile technology, MotionSense bridges the gap between traditional laboratory research and the practical needs of Parkinson's disease research, particularly in underserved communities across Los Angeles.

Project Team

Lead Developer:

Henry Lewis

Collaborating Team:

HAND Innovation Team

Research Advisor:

Dr. Zeiger

The Task Experience

1
View Motion Stimulus

Participants view a field of moving dots on their phone screen

2
Identify Coherent Motion

A subset of dots move coherently in one direction (left or right)

3
Provide Response

The participant determines and indicates the overall direction of motion

4
Data Collection

Responses are securely recorded and analyzed in real-time

Platform Features

🏠 Remote Assessment

Complete tasks from home using any mobile device

⚙️ Adjustable Parameters

Modify coherence, duration, and frequency for personalized testing

🔒 Secure Data

Encrypted backend for storing performance metrics

📊 Research Dashboard

Review participant performance trends and analytics

Technical Specifications

Platform

iOS & Android Mobile Applications

Architecture

React Native with Node.js Backend

Database

Encrypted HIPAA-compliant storage

Accessibility

WCAG 2.1 AA compliant

Scientific Foundation

Random Dot Motion (RDM) Paradigm: The RDM task is a validated measure of visual motion perception that has been extensively studied in neuroscience and psychology research. It assesses how the brain processes visual information and is sensitive to changes in perceptual thresholds.

Parkinson's Disease Application: Research has shown that individuals with Parkinson's disease exhibit altered motion perception. MotionSense leverages this finding to create a non-invasive, objective measure of disease progression and treatment efficacy.

Remote Administration: By bringing this validated task to mobile devices, we enable frequent, long-term monitoring of perceptual function in natural settings, providing richer longitudinal data than traditional laboratory visits.

Research Partnerships

Collaborating Institutions:

UCLA Parkinson's Specialists and the broader Parkinson's Research Community

MotionSense benefits from guidance and clinical expertise from leading Parkinson's researchers at UCLA. This collaboration ensures our platform remains scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant.

Research Benefits & Impact

For Participants: Access to cutting-edge research studies from home, contributing to science without travel burden

For Researchers: Increased participant recruitment, longitudinal data collection, and reduced study administration costs

For Science: Better understanding of Parkinson's disease progression and potential new biomarkers for treatment response

For Communities: Equitable access to medical research, particularly for underserved populations in Los Angeles

Future Development Roadmap

• Integration with wearable devices for comprehensive motor assessment
• Multi-language support for diverse research communities
• Expansion to additional neurological conditions
• Machine learning-based predictive modeling
• Telehealth integration with clinical providers
• Open-source release for broader scientific adoption

Interested in Contributing to MotionSense?

We're seeking software developers, researchers, and individuals passionate about accessible medical technology.

Join IMMERSE