Five of our favourite apps for people with Parkinson’s

Resources & Tools

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 25 October 2018

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From creating personalised exercise plans, to a social network just for people living with Parkinson’s, here are some of our favourite apps on the market right now

1. 9zest (IOS & Android)

This app offers people with Parkinson’s an easy and affordable way to treat their symptoms through holistic exercise plans. Users set personal goals based on the symptoms they want to reduce and the programme designs a routine tailored to them.

Progress is tracked every month, and the exercises – which help everything from dexterity to speech difficulties – can be completed at any time in any place.

Price: Free

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2. CogniFit (IOS & Android)

This brain training app allows users to evaluate and improve their cognitive functions through games, puzzles, tests and brain teasers. The app exercises target areas such as memory, attention span, coordination and planning – and offers a specific programme for people with Parkinson’s.

Price: Free

cognifit image one

3. Steady Type Keyboard (IOS)

This new on-screen keyboard is especially designed for people experiencing hand tremors. The keyboard helps users who have difficulty typing and even suggests words that require less key strokes. The app works with all IOS applications – including messages, emails and web browsing.

Price: US $1.99 / £1.99

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4. StudyMyTremor (IOS)

StudyMyTremor lets users record, analyse and track their hand tremors through their iPhone. Equipped with a three-dimensional sensor, the phone measures the frequency, power and amplitude of the tremor. Results are recorded and charted over time – making it easier for users to evaluate the development of the Parkinson’s symptom.

Price: US $3.99 / £3.99

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5. Parkinson’s Social Network (IOS)

This social network designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s offers users a place to seek friendship and emotional support from likeminded people. Users can swap tips on how to manage the condition, post updates about their daily progress and share pictures with other members.

Price: Free

For more information on Parkinson’s and assessment tools please visit the EPDA website.

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

A US study has found that intranasal insulin, which is commonly used to treat diabetes, may be able to improve Parkinson’s symptoms. As part of the study, published in scientific journal ‘PLOS ONE’, 14 people with Parkinson’s were administered a daily dose of intranasal insulin for four weeks. After the four week period, researchers – made up staff from Harvard Medical School, US, and the University of Massachusetts, US – saw an improvement in both the participants motor skills and verbal fluency. Discussing the trial, the researchers said: “Our study provided preliminary data that suggested an improvement of functional skills after four weeks of daily INI [intranasal insulin] treatment. That paves the way toward a larger cohort study to evaluate long-term safety and potential efficacy of intranasal insulin administration for potential treatment and prevention of functional decline in patients with Parkinson disease”.

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have found that drinking more than 40 millilitres of milk per day may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. As part of the study, 81,889 participants between the ages of 45 and 83 who do not live with the condition completed a survey detailing their milk, soured milk and yoghurt consumption. After an average follow up of 14 years, a total of 1,251 participants reported a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The dietary patterns of the participants showed that individuals who drank 40 to 159 millilitres of milk per day were 30% more likely to develop the condition. The researchers – who presented their study at the 2019 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal – concluded: “Findings from this cohort study indicate that consumption of milk, but not soured milk and yogurt, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

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Five of our favourite apps for people with Parkinson’s

Resources & Tools

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 25 October 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Global update

Sign up to be part of ‘world-first’ global health study into Parkinson’s disease

Resources & Tools

The Parkinson’s Foundation releases series of free Parkinson’s podcasts

Europe

Pizza for Parkinson’s Day helps raise £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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Five of our favourite apps for people with Parkinson’s

Resources & Tools

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 25 October 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Global update

Sign up to be part of ‘world-first’ global health study into Parkinson’s disease

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The Parkinson’s Foundation releases series of free Parkinson’s podcasts

Europe

Pizza for Parkinson’s Day helps raise £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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