Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

News

Author: Sophie BatesPublished: 20 February 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

A wearable device has been developed to monitor Parkinson’s tremors and their severity through the tracking of body movements.

The device – Tremor Tracker – was created by two students, Julie Gaudin and Elizabeth Hummel, at Louisiana Tech University, US, as part of a design class project.

The students designed an algorithm using data recorded from volunteer participants at Rock Steady, a boxing programme for people with Parkinson’s. They then applied the algorithm to a GENEActiv, a wrist-worn device that has been scientifically validated for clinical research.

Hummel, co-creator of the Tremor Tracker, said: “Through supervised machine learning, the device predicts whether a patient’s tremors are parkinsonian or non-parkinsonian, as well as the severity of these tremors. A quantitative analysis of parkinsonian tremors provides a more detailed disease state.”

To read more on this topic click here.

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

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

PD in Practice

Michael J Fox Foundation launches ‘Fox Insight’ patient-led Parkinson’s data study

Sign-up now to the new patient-led data study from the MJFF

World Parkinson Congress 2019: the travels of ‘Twitchy Woman’

Sharon Krischer shares her diary from the World Parkinson Congress 2019

High blood pressure, arthritis and depression are most common conditions in Parkinson’s patients

“We cannot gather too much data”

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Did you know there are strategies designed to help people with Parkinson’s cope with walking difficulties? A survey from researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, suggests that many people with the condition might not be aware of seven key strategies – which include internal and external cueing, visualising movement and practising relaxation techniques. Of the 4,324 people surveyed, 17% hadn’t heard of any of the strategies listed, while 23% of participants had never tried them. The study also offered insights into how well the techniques worked in different contexts. For example, participants found visualising movement more effective when walking outdoors than when walking in a smaller space. “We found that people are rarely educated about all the different compensation strategies,” explained study author Anouk Tosserams. “When they are, people often find strategies that work better for them and their unique circumstances.”

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Tunisia have found that drinking marjoram tea daily may help reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As part of a small study, the team recruited 60 people with Parkinson’s who used antiparkinsonian medication. Half of the group were assigned to drink marjoram tea and the other half a placebo tea, every night for 30 days. During the study period, participants maintained their usual diet, physical activity and medication. The researchers used the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Beck Depression Inventory and Non-motor Symptoms Scale to assess changes in the participants’ motor and non-motor symptoms, and depression. The results showed that marjoram tea may significantly reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s, while improvement of motor symptoms “may need an extended treatment period”. The study’s authors added: “More research with a large number of participants and lasting longer than one month is needed to argue these findings”.

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

US researchers are developing immersive virtual reality (VR) games as exercise therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease. Designed by a team at Virginia Commonwealth University, the games aim to address motor symptoms and encourage movement. “The idea is to have something where you’re motivated and engaged, and you can put this headset on and work out anytime,” said research lead Professor James S Thomas. The team invited people with Parkinson’s to test the technology at a showcasing event. Wearing a VR headset, participants used handheld controllers to play games that called for swatting and scooping motions at different speeds. One participant reported: “I can definitely see the value in these games.” The researchers hope to create a lower-cost version of the VR system that can be used independently. “We’re trying to get you to move your body in a way that will help you maintain your quality of life,” said…

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

News

Author: Sophie BatesPublished: 20 February 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

PD in Practice

Michael J Fox Foundation launches ‘Fox Insight’ patient-led Parkinson’s data study

Global update

World Parkinson Congress 2019: the travels of ‘Twitchy Woman’

Special reports

High blood pressure, arthritis and depression are most common conditions in Parkinson’s patients

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Students develop wearable device to track Parkinson’s tremors

News

Author: Sophie BatesPublished: 20 February 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

PD in Practice

Michael J Fox Foundation launches ‘Fox Insight’ patient-led Parkinson’s data study

Global update

World Parkinson Congress 2019: the travels of ‘Twitchy Woman’

Special reports

High blood pressure, arthritis and depression are most common conditions in Parkinson’s patients

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in