Parkinson’s app enters competition to be mentored by Richard Branson

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 May 2016

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The health tracking app myHealthPal®, which captures and visualises the data of Parkinson’s patients, has been entered into the Voom 2016 Virgin mentoring competition.

The creator of the app, Mike Barlow, has been developing solutions to manage long-term health conditions, improve health outcomes and support research through data since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 41.

The app was a finalist in both the September 2015 Meffys awards in the Most Innovative App category and November 2015 Appsters awards in the Most Influential Startup category.

Mr Barlow, founder, myHealthPal, said: “Visit the website and click the ‘Vote for project’ button to help us have a chance of mentoring by Richard Branson’s Virgin.”

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Could wearable heart sensors help with diagnosing Parkinson’s disease?

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) – that is, reduced time between heartbeats – has previously been associated with a greater risk of Parkinson’s. Now, researchers in Japan have suggested that using wearable sensors to measure this variability may help in diagnosing the condition at its early stages. As part of their study, the team analysed the heart rate variability of 27 people with Parkinson’s and 23 without the condition. The participants wore two heart rate sensors on their wrists for approximately 24 hours during a hospital stay. Results from the study showed that heart rate variability was “significantly decreased” in people with Parkinson’s, with the researchers reporting that the “assessment method was effective in detecting decreased HRV”. Noting the need for further research, the team wrote: “Our wearable sensor-based analysis should also be tested in subjects at the [early] stages” to determine the applicability for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Co-existing conditions may impact how people with Parkinson’s disease perceive stigma

According to a study from the US, people with Parkinson’s who also live with certain co-existing conditions may experience greater perceived stigma and lower quality of life than those who do not. Published in the journal ‘General Psychiatry’, the study examined how conditions like thyroid disease, depression and anxiety impact perceptions of stigma and quality of life among people with Parkinson’s. The researchers surveyed 196 participants who had previously been part of the Boston University Online Survey Study of Parkinson’s Disease – a study exploring the experiences of those living with the condition. Of these participants, 79% reported having at least one co-existing condition. Whilst factors like education level and age at onset were identified as influencing factors, the researchers found a correlation between the total number of conditions and participants’ perceptions of stigma as well as poorer quality of life. The study described the findings as important for “care…

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Parkinson’s app enters competition to be mentored by Richard Branson

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 May 2016

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Global update

5 Christmas gifts for people with Parkinson’s

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21 motivational Michael J Fox quotes on living with Parkinson’s disease

Global update

What if Father Christmas had Parkinson’s disease?

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Co-existing conditions may impact how people with Parkinson’s disease perceive stigma

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Parkinson’s app enters competition to be mentored by Richard Branson

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 17 May 2016

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Share this story

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Global update

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Co-existing conditions may impact how people with Parkinson’s disease perceive stigma

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