Digital Tablet Research Articles

P 33 Changes in functional connectivity relate to modulation of cognitive control by subthalamic stimulation

Introduction Using cognitive control, humans can flexibly influence behavior based on set goals, which includes overriding impulses by inhibiting automatic responses in a conflicting environment. The basal ganglia have been hypothesized as an integral part in a cortico-subcortical network that modulates inhibitory control in both motor and non-motor domains. Subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson‘s disease (PD) patients not only improves kinematic parameters of movement but also modulates cognitive control in the motor and non-motor domain, especially in situations of high conflict. Materials & Methods During DBS ON and OFF conditions, we conducted a visuomotor task in 14 PD patients who previously underwent resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) acquisitions DBS ON and OFF. In the task, participants had to move a cursor with a pen on a digital tablet either towards (automatic condition) or in the opposite direction (controlled condition) of a target. Behaviorally, the first main outcome parameter was reaction time, and specifically, the difference in reaction time between automatic and controlled condition that reflects the additional time associated with engagement of cognitive control. Furthermore, average movement velocity ON vs. OFF DBS in automatic and controlled trials was assessed. Analysis of the imaging data focused on STN DBS induced modulation of rs-fMRI connectivity as a function of changes in behavior ON vs. OFF DBS and was estimated using link-wise network-based statistics within an a-priori defined network parcellation with 7 bihemispheric regions of interest (STN, internal/external pallidum (GPi and GPe), striatum, motor thalamus (VAn, VAp, VLd/VLv nuclei combined), motor and premotor cortices, supplementary motor area (SMA) and pre-SMA). Results Behavioral results showed diminished reaction time adaptation under DBS, i.e., PD patients ON DBS slowed down significantly less in the controlled condition compared to the automatic condition than they did OFF DBS. Additionally, pen-to-target movement velocity was increased under DBS in both automatic and controlled condition. Resting-state imaging data analysis revealed that DBS-induced reaction time reduction was associated with attenuated functional connectivity between cortical motor areas, basal ganglia and thalamus. On the other hand, increased movement velocity ON DBS was associated with stronger pallido-thalamic connectivity. Conclusion These findings suggest that DBS-induced decoupling of a motor cortico-basal ganglia network underlies impaired inhibitory control in PD patients undergoing subthalamic DBS and highlight the concept of functional network modulation through DBS. Understanding the connectivity basis of nonmotor changes in PD patients treated with DBS has a high clinical relevance, since network modulation may be fine-tuned with advancing therapeutic developments such as adaptive stimulation.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN EDUCATING CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Technological advancements are becoming increasingly pervasive in daily life. Children develop at a rapid pace as technology advances, from televisions to computers, smartphones, and digital tablet devices equipped with a variety of applications. Today's children, called by “Generation Alpha," are markedly different from prior generations. They spend the most of their time interacting with digital technologies. Because technology pervades both parents' and children's lives, there is concern over its negative impact on very young children's cognitive, motor, and social development. According to research, parents play the most critical role in establishing a child-friendly atmosphere. The schedule that parents follow with their children is designed to meet the child's physical and psychological needs. Additionally, this pattern can be implemented through socialization of societal norms, allowing youngsters to live in harmony with their environment. As a matter of fact, parents must be capable of educating and guiding children in the ethical and positive use of digital media.

Narratives in nature part 2

This second part of ‘Narratives in nature’ focuses on the journey rather than the destination of outdoor play with young children. Amanda reflects on the use of digital tablets in exploring children's views.

Novel insights into the effects of levodopa on the up- and downstrokes of writing sequences.

Motor control of automatized and overlearned sequences, such as writing, is affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), impacting patients' daily life. Medication effects on motor performance are not only task-specific, but also variable within tasks. The nature of this variance is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether medication affects writing sequences differently when producing up- or downstrokes. Writing was assessed in healthy controls (HC) (N = 31) and PD (N = 32), when ON and OFF medication in a randomized order (interspersed by two months). Subjects wrote a sequential pattern with an increasing size on a digital tablet. Writing outcomes were movement vigor (amplitude and velocity), error and end-point variability, and sequence continuation, calculated separately for up- and downstrokes. Results showed that PD patients OFF-medication reduced movement vigor (amplitude) for up- and downstrokes compared to HC. Clear deficits were found for up- but not for downstroke error in PD patients in OFF, suggesting a directional bias. Dopaminergic medication improved motor vigor by increasing writing amplitude and upstroke continuation, but this occurred at the cost of the downstroke trajectory. Other writing outcomes did not improve with medication intake. In conclusion, we interpret these findings as that the impact of dopamine is complex, highly task-specific, supporting the most highly energy demanding components of a writing sequence. As medication did not regulate downstroke writing, we recommend supplementary training to address task demands that were less modulated by dopamine (registration: https://osf.io/gk5q8/ , 17 July 2018).

Narratives in nature part 1

In this article Amanda Norman explores the value of nature walks as part of outdoor play with children within a ‘narratives in nature’ project. This is an introduction into the investigation of how communication and interaction is developed and pursued by using digital tablets with groups of children on a nature walk.

An interactive sketch-based CAD interface realizing geometrical and topological editing across multiple objects based on fuzzy logic

With the widespread use of digital pen tablets and touch displays, sketch-based interactive computer-aided design (CAD) user interfaces have attracted considerable attention. In an existing interface called the Sketch Input Tracer (SKIT), however, the editing operation performed via an over-sketching stroke can target only a single geometric object at any given time. To overcome this limitation, in this study, we propose a new general-purpose sketch-based interface developed for use in two-dimensional CAD systems. In the proposed interface, a sketch-based editing operation can simultaneously modify the geometry and topology of multiple geometric objects via over-sketching. The interface was developed based on the fuzzy logic-based strategy of SKIT. With this interface, a user can draw in a creative manner; for example, they can begin with a rough sketch and progressively create a detailed design through repeated over-sketches. The results of experiments conducted demonstrate that experts can control the proposed interactive drawing interface and beginners can habituate to controlling it.

Evaluation of a Digitally Guided Self-Rehabilitation Device Coupled With Telerehabilitation Monitoring in Patients With Parkinson Disease (TELEP@RK): Open, Prospective Observational Study.

BackgroundParkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disease causing a progressive loss of autonomy. This requires long-term rehabilitation care. Currently, new technologies are being developed for use in daily life, and there is a progressive implementation of telerehabilitation.ObjectiveThe aim of this study (the TELEP@RK study) is to evaluate the uses of a digital self-rehabilitation device in patients with Parkinson disease and their independent physiotherapists on the scale of a health territory.MethodsA total of 10 independent physiotherapists and 31 patients with Parkinson disease were followed for 1 year to evaluate the use of a telerehabilitation tool (digital tablet and inertial sensor) via questionnaires of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The questionnaires were submitted to participants at 0, 2, and 12 months from the start of follow-up. The averages of the scores of the different determinants and constructs of the UTAUT questionnaires were compared at the different follow-up times.ResultsAmong professionals, the averages of the various determinants were generally high at the beginning of the study with an average (out of 5) performance expectancy of 4.19, effort expectancy of 3.88, social influence of 3.95, facilitating conditions of 4, and intention to use of 3.97. These averages decreased over time.ConclusionsAcceptability, acceptance, and appropriation of the tool were very high among the physiotherapists as well as the patients, despite the tool’s lack of evolution during the study. In the current health care context, these results allow us to envision a new organization of the care pathway for patients with chronic diseases, with the increased use of new technologies associated with telecare.

Kinematic analysis of handwriting movements and pencil grip patterns in children with low vision

Handwriting skills are important for the academic life of children and the lack of visual-motor performance leads to writing problems in children with low vision. This study aims to reveal handwriting kinematics and pencil grip features in children with low vision by means of a novel method. 18 children with low vision (mean age: 9.83±1.54years) and 18 children with typical development (mean age: 9.83±1.62years) were included in the study. Children performed a sentence writing task on a digitizer tablet. During the task, the writing hand of children was photographed to analyze pencil grip patterns. Children with low vision performed greater stroke size except for the vertical size, slower writing speed, more dysfluent movements, and less pen pressure than children with typical development. However, participants preferred mature pencil grip patterns and had high grip scores independent from the diagnosis. The findings indicate that children with low vision have difficulties in handwriting in terms of spatial and temporal features. These results would be important for interventions to develop specific programs on writing skills to support their educational life.

Deficient Interhemispheric Connectivity Underlies Movement Irregularities in Parkinson’s Disease

Movement execution is impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease. Evolving neurodegeneration leads to altered connectivity between distinct regions of the brain and altered activity at interconnected areas. How connectivity alterations influence complex movements like drawing spirals in Parkinson's disease patients remains largely unexplored. We investigated whether deteriorations in interregional connectivity relate to impaired execution of drawing. Twenty-nine patients and 31 age-matched healthy control participants drew spirals with both hands on a digital graphics tablet, and the regularity of drawing execution was evaluated by sample entropy. We recorded resting-state fMRI and task-related EEG, and calculated the time-resolved partial directed coherence to estimate effective connectivity for both imaging modalities to determine the extent and directionality of interregional interactions. Movement performance in Parkinson's disease patients was characterized by increased sample entropy, corresponding to enhanced irregularities in task execution. Effective connectivity between the motor cortices of both hemispheres, derived from resting-state fMRI, was significantly reduced in Parkinson's disease patients in comparison to controls. The connectivity strength in the nondominant to dominant hemisphere direction in both modalities was inversely correlated with irregularities during drawing, but not with the clinical state. Our findings suggest that interhemispheric connections are affected both at rest and during drawing movements by Parkinson's disease. This provides novel evidence that disruptions of interhemispheric information exchange play a pivotal role for impairments of complex movement execution in Parkinson's disease patients.

Use of digital tablets eases the way to compassionate care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: A patient communication program was implemented as a response to hospitals visiting restrictive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the program was to facilitate communication between patients and families, mainly through the use of digital tablets; thus program performance was evaluated by selecting the number of calls performed, the average call time, and the percentage of patients that used the program more than once. Methods: A communication service for hospitalized patients who did not have access to a personal electronic device or were unable to use their electronic device was launched at different MUHC hospitals. A dedicated team of re-deployed employees was available to help patients connect with their loved ones using a hospital tablet or telephone. Results: A total of 806 calls were performed between April and November 2020. Eighty one percent of the calls were performed during the non-visitors policy implementation, being video calls preferred over phone calls. The average call time was 15 min, 34% of the patients had a video call with their loved one more than once and 40% of the calls were performed in the intensive care unit. Conclusion: The patient communication program can be described as a new delivery model of compassionate care. It was effective, helped reduce patients’ isolation and met the needs of family members and caregivers during the hospital non-visitors policy directed by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de Québec during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new approach to 3D pattern-making for the apparel industry: Graphic coding-based localization

Pattern making is one of the most vital parts of product development in the apparel or other textile industry. However, the traditional 2D pattern-making method is tedious, abstract, and time-consuming. Although several 2D techniques are available in the current research for automatic pattern generation, most of them have been limited to fixed styles. To solve the problem in pattern making, here a new 3D pattern making approach based on graphic coding is proposed. The textile with coded graphics as a flexible coordinate is used to establish the mapping relationship between 2D patterns and 3D garments, which allows a draped 3D shape to a 2D plane. The images with micro encoding graphics of key points are acquired to obtain 2D localization information from the fabric in 3D form. Based on image processing and encoding/decoding, the pattern can be generated according to the coordinate value of key points. The approach realizes the intuitive, accurate and rapid garment pattern generation, which offers possibilities for fashion designers or other users with little expertise in 2D pattern drafting to make patterns in any constructions. Also, as it can be effective in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of MTM (Made-to-Measure). In addition to the apparel industry, the method also shows great application potential in shoes, home textiles, flexible digital tablets, and other related areas.

Computerised analysis of writing and drawing by essential tremor phenotype

We investigated whether computerised analysis of writing and drawing could discriminate essential tremor (ET) phenotypes according to the 2018 Consensus Statement on the Classification of Tremors. The Consensus scheme emphasises...

Creation of a Virtual Museum for the Dissemination of 3D Models of Historical Clothing

Museums have been the main centers for the dissemination of cultural heritage throughout history. In recent years, they have been increasingly digitizing their content, so that it is now common for each museum to have free digital content available on the Web. This can be photographs of the works with detailed information or even objects created in three dimensions. It is also common to find virtual museums, which might be a representation of an existing museum that has been digitized or a museum created only in digital format. This paper describes the creation of a virtual museum of Spanish clothing from the 16th century, one that exists only in digital format, accessible from a computer or digital tablet. In order to create the museum, various documentation and drawings or pictures of the clothing of that time were studied. The costumes were then created in a specialized 3D costume-modeling program called Marvelous Designer. A 3D model of the exhibition hall was created in Blender, and finally, everything was assembled in the Unity videogame engine, where the interactive part was also added, allowing the virtual visitors to walk through the hall as if they were visiting a real museum.

Forensic examination of electronic signatures: A comparative study

The writing of names or signatures has great importance due to its use in authentication, validation, and authorization of documents. Moreover, handwritten signatures present an aura of personality and make an impression on many people. But now, with the emergence of new technologies, a variety of electronic writing media such as digital tablets and pens are being used to produce writings and signatures; and the conventional way to produce the writing using pen and paper is waning. With the changing ways of writing and signature production, the means of producing forged writing or signature are also bound to change. This has brought new challenges for handwriting examiners. In the present study, a comparative analysis of electronically captured signatures with pen-paper signatures has been performed to study the effect of changes in writing media. Signature samples were taken from the same subjects on paper and electronic pads. The similarities and differences with respect to class and line quality features between both signatures were analysed. It was observed that despite differences between the signatures produced by the same author, it is still possible to establish the authorship of signatures in the case of electronic signatures.

Where to draw the line?

We often take people's ability to understand and produce line drawings for granted. But where should we draw lines, and why? We address psychological principles that underlie efficient representations of complex information in line drawings. First, 58 participants with varying degree of artistic experience produced multiple drawings of a small set of scenes by tracing contours on a digital tablet. Second, 37 independent observers ranked the drawings by how representative they are of the original photograph. Matching contours between drawings of the same scene revealed that the most consistently drawn contours tend to be drawn earlier. We generated half-images with the most- versus least-consistently drawn contours and asked 25 observers categorize the quickly presented scenes. Observers performed significantly better for the most compared to the least consistent half-images. The most consistently drawn contours were more likely to depict occlusion boundaries, whereas the least consistently drawn contours frequently depicted surface normals.

Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Excessive use of digital smart devices, including smartphones and tablet computers, could be a risk factor for myopia. We aimed to review the literature on the association between digital smart device use and myopia. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we searched MEDLINE and Embase, and manually searched reference lists for primary research articles investigating smart device (ie, smartphones and tablets) exposure and myopia in children and young adults (aged 3 months to 33 years) from database inception to June 2 (MEDLINE) and June 3 (Embase), 2020. We included studies that investigated myopia-related outcomes of prevalent or incident myopia, myopia progression rate, axial length, or spherical equivalent. Studies were excluded if they were reviews or case reports, did not investigate myopia-related outcomes, or did not investigate risk factors for myopia. Bias was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists for analytical cross-sectional and cohort studies. We categorised studies as follows: category one studies investigated smart device use independently; category two studies investigated smart device use in combination with computer use; and category three studies investigated smart device use with other near-vision tasks that were not screen-based. We extracted unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs), β coefficients, prevalence ratios, Spearman's correlation coefficients, and p values for associations between screen time and incident or prevalent myopia. We did a meta-analysis of the association between screen time and prevalent or incident myopia for category one articles alone and for category one and two articles combined. Random-effects models were used when study heterogeneity was high (I2>50%) and fixed-effects models were used when heterogeneity was low (I2≤50%). 3325 articles were identified, of which 33 were included in the systematic review and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. Four (40%) of ten category one articles, eight (80%) of ten category two articles, and all 13 category three articles used objective measures to identify myopia (refraction), whereas the remaining studies used questionnaires to identify myopia. Screen exposure was measured by use of questionnaires in all studies, with one also measuring device-recorded network data consumption. Associations between screen exposure and prevalent or incident myopia, an increased myopic spherical equivalent, and longer axial length were reported in five (50%) category one and six (60%) category two articles. Smart device screen time alone (OR 1·26 [95% CI 1·00-1·60]; I2=77%) or in combination with computer use (1·77 [1·28-2·45]; I2=87%) was significantly associated with myopia. The most common sources of risk of bias were that all 33 studies did not include reliable measures of screen time, seven (21%) did not objectively measure myopia, and nine (27%) did not identify or adjust for confounders in the analysis. The high heterogeneity between studies included in the meta-analysis resulted from variability in sample size (range 155-19 934 participants), the mean age of participants (3-16 years), the standard error of the estimated odds of prevalent or incident myopia (0·02-2·21), and the use of continuous (six [55%] of 11) versus categorical (five [46%]) screen time variables INTERPRETATION: Smart device exposure might be associated with an increased risk of myopia. Research with objective measures of screen time and myopia-related outcomes that investigates smart device exposure as an independent risk factor is required. None.

SPIROMETRY IN COVID-19 PNEUMONIA PATIENTS ON CONTINUOUS REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: The long-term implications of COVID-19 pneumonia remain under investigation. Many of those that suffered from the illness continue to experience symptoms weeks to months following their initial recovery. We assessed patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were discharged from the hospital to an outpatient-based continuous remote patient monitoring (CRPM) program. METHODS: Forty hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia between the ages of 28 and 78 were referred to a designated CRPM team for evaluation and enrollment in a remote monitoring pilot program prior to discharge between the dates of December 2020 and April 2021. Enrolled patients were issued an FDA-approved biophysiologic monitoring device, digital tablet for video teleconferencing, and an in-home Wi-Fi/Mobile Data hub following nursing-led training prior to departing the medical facility. The provided equipment was capable of continuous, near-real time monitoring of SpO2, heart rate, respiration rate, surface/axillary temperature, and mobility data;intermittent data was also collected via a linked automatic blood pressure cuff and portable spirometer. Patients were monitored 24 hours, 7 days per week during their enrollment by dedicated tele-health nursing staff and received serial automated prompts to perform blood pressure assessments and spirometry using the included equipment. Initial and final pulse oximetry and spirometric data was reviewed, consisting of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio. Patients were disenrolled from the program in the following circumstances: the patient was readmitted to the hospital, the patient chose to disenroll themselves, or the supervising physician determined the patient to be stable for ≥ 72 hours. RESULTS: Forty patients enrolled in the pilot program. Twenty-seven of these patients completed initial and final spirometry and pulse oximetry prior to program discharge. Total days of enrollment were on average 31 ± 25 days. Initial pulse oximetric data returned with a mean of 95 ± 1.6%. Of note, 13 of the 27 patients required supplemental oxygen following hospital discharge. Initial spirometric data for these individuals returned with mean values for FVC (L) of 1.77 ± 0.82, FEV1(L) of 1.22 ± 0.47, and FEV1/FVC of 75 ± 20%. Prior to program disenrollment, mean pulse oximetry was measured at 97 ± 1.9% with only 2 of the 27 patients continuing to require oxygen. Final spirometric data returned with mean values for FVC (L) of 2.61 ± 1.16, FEV1(L) of 1.89 ± 0.72, and FEV1/FVC of 78 ± 19%. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated early and late home-tested spirometry and pulse oximetry in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia discharged from the hospital to a CRPM pilot program. Nearly half of the patients (48%) required supplemental oxygen at the time of discharge with only 7.4% requiring oxygen once discharged from the pilot program. Spirometric data indicated an increase of 47.5% in FVC, an increase of 55% for FEV1, an increase of 4.1% in FEV1/FVC between initial and final testing. Correlation with in-lab spirometry testing and percent predicted values will aid in determining the accuracy of the deficits identified on home testing. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides insight into the rate of lung function recovery in hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients, and introduces a novel method to closely monitor recovering patients on an outpatient-basis. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Sean Hipp, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Theresa Kinshella, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Kevin Loudermilk, source=Web Response Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with Janssen Please note: $1001 - $5000 Added 12/02/2020 by Michael Morris, source=Web Response, value=Honoraria Speaker/Speaker's Bureau relationship with GSK Please note: $1001 - $5000 Added 12/02/2020 by Michael Morris, source=Web Response, value=Honoraria No relevant relationships by Caitlin Smith, ource=Web Response No relevant relationships by Robert Walter, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Daniel Yourk, source=Web Response

Kinematic Accelerometry Assessment Of Music-Based Motor Training in Stroke Rehabilitation

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To use a novel limb acceleration measure to reveal mechanisms of improved paretic limb control following music-based rehabilitation. <h3>Design</h3> A consecutive sample. <h3>Setting</h3> A music and health research facility in Toronto, CA. <h3>Participants</h3> 30 community dwellers aged 30-79 years in the chronic stroke phase with minimal volitional control of the affected limb. <h3>Interventions</h3> Nine training sessions thirty-minutes in length were administered three times per week by a Neurologic Music Therapist. The music-based training incorporated mapping rhythmically cued functional arm movements onto digital sonification touch tablets. The paretic limb's acceleration profile was recorded at 1000 Hz from a wrist-worn accelerometer. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Estimates of power-spectral-density were obtained with an approximately 1-s sliding window and a 50% window overlap across the entire training session. The power-spectral-density was computed as the median of all the windows within each trace. The dominant peak in the function was then identified and quantified as the height of the peak (i.e., peak-power). Peak-power was then used to quantify functional changes in limb control across sessions. <h3>Results</h3> Repeated-measures ANOVA for peak-power revealed a main effect of session (p < .001) and follow-up trend analyses revealed a significant linear trend, highlighting continuous motor improvement across all sessions. T-tests were then used to determine that movements of the paretic limb increased in peak power (p = .001; 95% CI = -.0002, - .0007) from session 1 (M = .00004) to session 9 (M = .0002) with peak-power being localized within the lower frequency spectrum (i.e., 4.4 Hz). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Peak-power increases within the lower frequency spectrum indicates improved volitional motor control and intentionality of paretic arm movements. Such functional changes in limb acceleration represent a mechanism underlying improved motor outcomes in music-based stroke interventions. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have nothing to disclose.

Nonpharmacologic Management of Procedural Pain in Pediatric Burn Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Pain following burn injury is associated with long-term health consequences in the pediatric population. Literature suggests nonpharmacologic treatment may provide improved pain control as an effective adjunct for these patients. This study aims to summarize randomized controlled trials on nonpharmacologic procedural pain management in pediatric burn patients. A systematic review was conducted on nonpharmacologic procedural pain management techniques used in the pediatric burn population. Fifteen studies were included and involved virtual reality, distraction devices, child life therapy, directed play, digital tablet games, cartoons, hypnosis, and music therapy. Treatment was effective in 8 out of 15 studies. Compared to controls, nonpharmacologic treatments reduced mid procedure pain by 19.7% and post-procedure pain by 20.1%. This study demonstrates that nonpharmacologic therapy can be an effective adjunct in pediatric procedural burn pain management, however further studies are needed to develop standardized algorithms to integrate nonpharmacologic treatments with pharmacologic therapies.

Primary Progressive Aphasia: Use of Graphical Markers for an Early and Differential Diagnosis.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) brings together neurodegenerative pathologies whose main characteristic is to start with a progressive language disorder. PPA diagnosis is often delayed in non-specialised clinical settings. With the technologies’ development, new writing parameters can be extracted, such as the writing pressure on a touch pad. Despite some studies having highlighted differences between patients with typical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and healthy controls, writing parameters in PPAs are understudied. The objective was to verify if the writing pressure in different linguistic and non-linguistic tasks can differentiate patients with PPA from patients with AD and healthy subjects. Patients with PPA (n = 32), patients with AD (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 26) were included in this study. They performed a set of handwriting tasks on an iPad® digital tablet, including linguistic, cognitive non-linguistic, and non-cognitive non-linguistic tasks. Average and maximum writing pressures were extracted for each task. We found significant differences in writing pressure, between healthy controls and patients with PPA, and between patients with PPA and AD. However, the classification of performances was dependent on the nature of the tasks. These results suggest that measuring writing pressure in graphical tasks may improve the early diagnosis of PPA, and the differential diagnosis between PPA and AD.