Apple Watch Can Help Track Parkinson's Disease Symptoms, Research Shows (movementdisorders.org) 9
According to a new study, the Apple Watch can be used to monitor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. STAT reports: Researchers at Apple, working with specialists who treat Parkinson's, designed a system that uses the Apple Watch to detect the motor symptoms that are a hallmark of the neurological disease. By monitoring resting tremors and other involuntary movements, the researchers were able to identify the characteristic "on" and "off" patterns of medication's effects. Their findings were published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine.
The new system, called the Motor Fluctuations Monitor for Parkinson's disease (MM4PD), uses the Apple Watch's accelerometer and gyroscope data to detect the presence of resting tremor or dyskinesia. Resting tremors, which can affect the hands, legs, and other parts of the body, are a common symptom of Parkinson's. Dyskinesia, another type of involuntary movement, is a frequent side effect of medication used to treat the disease. The algorithms underlying the model were developed using data from a pilot study with 118 people in which researchers matched subject's smartwatch data to a scoring system called MDS-UPDRS Part III, the gold standard by which motor symptoms of Parkinson's are measured.
The authors say that the measurements helped spot symptoms missed in regular care and identified changes after subjects underwent surgery for deep brain stimulation. The paper also suggests the tool helped pinpoint people who slipped on medication adherence, as well as cases in which a person might benefit from a modified medication regimen.
The new system, called the Motor Fluctuations Monitor for Parkinson's disease (MM4PD), uses the Apple Watch's accelerometer and gyroscope data to detect the presence of resting tremor or dyskinesia. Resting tremors, which can affect the hands, legs, and other parts of the body, are a common symptom of Parkinson's. Dyskinesia, another type of involuntary movement, is a frequent side effect of medication used to treat the disease. The algorithms underlying the model were developed using data from a pilot study with 118 people in which researchers matched subject's smartwatch data to a scoring system called MDS-UPDRS Part III, the gold standard by which motor symptoms of Parkinson's are measured.
The authors say that the measurements helped spot symptoms missed in regular care and identified changes after subjects underwent surgery for deep brain stimulation. The paper also suggests the tool helped pinpoint people who slipped on medication adherence, as well as cases in which a person might benefit from a modified medication regimen.
Interesting but unaffordable (Score:4, Interesting)
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's over two years ago and have been tracking the progression of symptoms using a diary.
Sure, I'd love to have a device that assisted me in doing this but I can't afford an Apple watch.
Such a shame.
So, instead, I'll continue doing what I've already found to be effective ways to slow the progression. I excercise a lot (use it or lose it), I keep my weight in check (not hard once you've lost your sense of smell/taste) and I take creatine monohydrate as a "brain fuel" (it also helps in my resistance training).
After concerted efforts I am now fitter, stronger and healthier (Parkinson's notwithstanding) at 67 than I was at 27.
I'm not going to beat Parkinson's but I'll put up a hell of a fight -- with or without an Apple watch :-)
Re: (Score:2)
Parkinson's :Law (Score:2)
"work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion"
So any watch will do.
Simple: (Score:1)
You bought a iDevice?
They clearly, you've got a degenerative brain disease. ;)
See? Easy!
research (Score:1)