Feasibility and Reliability of a Monitoring App for Chronic Inflammatory Neuropathies

Abstract

Background and Aims: Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are immune‐mediated neuropathies characterized by muscle weakness and/or sensory deficits. Identifying treatment response, relapse, and stability can be challenging in these chronic, sometimes unpredictable, conditions. This study explores the potential of a monitoring app designed to address these challenges. Methods: Patients were monitored weekly or monthly, based on stability and patient preference, using grip strength, modified timed‐up‐and go (mTUG), and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). User experience was evaluated via a questionnaire addressing content and ease of use (scale 0–10). Adherence was measured as the percentage of completed mandatory assessments. We investigated reliability using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard errors of the mean (SEM) of repeated measurements. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using linear mixed‐effects models. Results: We included 38 patients, with a mean follow‐up of 11 months (IQR 4.6–19.5). The mean user experience score was 8.35/10 (range 7–10). Adherence was 93% (95% CI: 91.9%–94.1%). Reported remote measurements for grip strength were 1358/1468 (93%), and 1343/1430 (94%) for mTUG. Grip strength and mTUG ICCs were both 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93–0.98 and 0.92–0.99, respectively). The average SEM was 8.46% (95% CI: 6.58–10.28) for grip strength and 8.18% (95% CI: 6.12–10.41) for mTUG. Only grip strength changed significantly, increasing by 3.1 pounds per 6 months (95% CI: 0.61–5.83; p = 0.016). Interpretation: Our study demonstrates that tele‐neuromonitoring is feasible and reliable, showing high adherence, positive user experience and high ICCs. We anticipate tele‐neuromonitoring could complement routine follow‐up, enabling clinicians to make better‐informed treatment decisions.