WEARABLE DEVICES AND SMARTPHONES FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with a prevalence that is expected to
increase in the next decades. The implementation of digital health technology (wearable devices and
smartphones) in PD is promising. Wearable devices can capture subtle motor symptoms (voice ,facial
expression, fine finger movements) and non-motor symptoms (REM sleep behavior disorder, gastric
motility)thus improving early diagnosis, identifying prodromal PD and enabling population screening for
PD. Furthermore sensors are useful for accurately and objectively evaluate and monitor in real life the
motor (bradykinesia, tremor, gait parameters, freezing of gait, balance) and the non-motor symptoms
of the disease as well as the treatment response and the fluctuations. Touch technology with keystrokes
dynamics during typing a computer offers another opportunity for studying motor symptoms in PD.
However there are limitations, barriers and risks on the use of digital technology. Further studies involving
patients and caregivers will help implement technology in PD.