A recent study indicates that wearable technology can effectively monitor disease progression in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) patients, offering a promising avenue for improving clinical trial efficiency and outcomes. The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF), in collaboration with BioSensics™, conducted a pilot study using FDA-registered wearable devices to remotely monitor CMT patients' function in their daily lives.
Remote Monitoring with Wearable Technology
The study, initiated at the CMT Clinical Trial Readiness Summit in June 2024, aimed to address challenges in CMT clinical trials, such as logistical burdens and difficulties in accurately measuring disease progression. Participants were equipped with BioSensics' PAMSys™ devices, lightweight and non-invasive wearables, to continuously monitor their daily activity levels. This approach provided researchers with real-world data on how CMT affects patients' day-to-day function.
Study Findings and Implications
Led by HNF Fellowship recipient Dr. Kayla Cornett, the study demonstrated the feasibility and value of remote data collection in CMT trials. Participants reported high compliance due to the devices' ease of use, non-invasiveness, and long battery life. The continuous data captured by the wearable devices provided detailed insights into patients' daily activity, offering a comprehensive understanding of the real-world impact of CMT. Importantly, the data collected from the wearable sensors correlated well with established clinical outcome measures of disease severity in CMT patients, providing strong preliminary validation for this technology.
Revolutionizing CMT Clinical Trials
The success of this study has the potential to revolutionize CMT clinical trials. By using wearable technology to monitor patients in their home environments, trials can become more accessible and effective, removing barriers like travel and time commitments. This approach also provides more accurate, real-life data for researchers, potentially leading to the development of more effective treatments for CMT.
Quotes
"Understanding the impact of CMT in patients’ daily lives is crucial so that future therapeutics can benefit individuals in their home environment," said Dr. Cornett. This study marks an important step forward in HNF’s mission to drive advancements in digital health technologies for CMT.
About CMT
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy that leads to progressive weakness and sensory loss in the arms and legs. This condition affects approximately 1 in 2,500 people worldwide. CMT clinical trials have historically faced challenges, including difficulties in accurately measuring disease progression and participant retention. The integration of wearable technology offers a promising solution to these challenges, potentially accelerating the development of new treatments for CMT.
