Integrative Objective Quantification of Individual Locomotor Behavior in Depressive Patients: Implications for Their Stratification and Personalized Treatment Monitoring

Figure 3 from: Dimitrov R, Haralanova E, Milanov I, Ognianov S, Parvova I, Milushev E (2024) A new approach for objective monitoring of the pharmacological-treatment response in recurrent depressions. Pharmacia 71: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.3897/pharmacia.71.e125942

“…Analogous data regarding PMR have been established by other methods for objective measurement of the depressive gait (locomotion) (e.g., Wendorf et al 2002;Aybek et al 2008). They are also consistent with previous studies with the method we used in patients with endogenous (unipolar and bipolar) depressions (Terziivanova et al 2018;Haralanov et al 2021). A conclusion could be drawn that the objective and quantitative measurement of the stepping-test LMB by Comp-US-CCG enables reliable intergroup differentiation between DP, PMR, and HC.…”

“…HC were re-examined (follow-up assessment) at an interval of 3-4 weeks after their first examination (baseline assessment) to match the intervals at which DP were examined. We used an original method for integrative objective recording, representing, and measuring LMB at the single-patient level (Haralanov et al 2021). It is based on the classical equilibriometric method "cranio-corpography" (CCG), invented by Claus-Frenz Claussen, one of the founders of clinical equilibriometry (Claussen, 2000).…”

“…It is based on the classical equilibriometric method "cranio-corpography" (CCG), invented by Claus-Frenz Claussen, one of the founders of clinical equilibriometry (Claussen, 2000). We applied the computerized ultrasonic version of CCG (Comp-US-CCG), produced by the German company, which allows a very precise spatial-temporal equilibriometric quantification of the head and body movements during the execution of the classical locomotor "stepping-test" of Unterberger (Haralanov et al 2002;Haralanov et al 2021). The test consists of stepping in place with eyes closed for 1 min, starting from the standard standing position of Romberg (Fig.…”

“…The computer program automatically measures some standard CCG parameters, thus quantifying the individual LMB, which could serve as an objective measure of PMD at the single-patient level. Previously, it was discovered that optimal equilibriometric quantification of PMR in depressive patients might be achieved by two essential CCG parameters: "lateral sway" and "number of steps per minute " (Terziivanova et al 2018;Haralanov et al 2021). Their numerical values are displayed on the computer screen, along with a visual comparison with the limits of normative data.…”

“…As a rule, it also correlates with the severity of depression (Raoux et al 1994;Razavi et al 2011). More specifically, gait speed (locomotor activity or locomotor behavior) is a relatively well-studied objective component of the depressive PMR (Sloman et al 1982;Lemke et al 2000;Haralanov et al 2021). Most researchers have used actigraphy and other objective methods for more reliable recording and measuring of gait (locomotor) patterns in depressive patients (Belvederi Murri et al 2020).…”